The Star: June 07, 2018

The Star Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi
Thursday June 7 2018 37
Outback perfect for ski field roads
THERE’S A motoring writer
who knows a lot more about
Subaru Outbacks than I do,
simply because he is an owner.
We were driving together on
the media launch of the latest
generation Outback and
I commented on the smooth
and strong power delivery of
the six-cylinder option in the
range.
He replied by saying that he
didn’t see many benefits of that
engine compared to the base
model 2.5-litre four-cylinder
unit. The 3.6-litre horizontallyopposed
six does have more
power and seems more refined,
but it is quite a bit thirstier
than the standard unit and
loads more weight into the
front of the car.
He’s quite right, the four-cylinder
Outback is capable and
does everything as it should;
however, the six-cylinder
Outback is a luxury – and I
love it.
I drove the two Premium
variants of the new model
back-to-back, and as much as
I rate the entry model highly,
I’d be a six-cylinder buyer,
that engine is silky smooth,
immensely powerful at 191kW
and it has a free-flowing, unfaltering
delivery of power. Along
with its high top-end output,
the Outback in this form is
rated with a healthy 350Nm of
torque.
All Outback models get
continuously variable transmission
which Subaru label
Lineartronic. It’s a big ask
for CVT to harness the high
engine strength but it works
perfectly, it is so much like a
traditional torque converter
Motoring
Ross Kiddie
SUBARU OUTBACK: Versatile all-road wagon.
gearbox that it’s hard to notice
that CVT is an inclusion.
The paddle-shift six-step setup
has a smooth ratio sequence
which means the engine isn’t
under pressure to maintain
acceleration. That also has
a relatively beneficial effect
on fuel usage. Subaru claims
a 9.9-litre-litre per 100km
(28mpg) combined cycle average.
The dash panel readouts
were sitting close to that during
my evaluation time constantly
listing at around 11l/100km
(26mpg) average.
As a guide to the Outback’s
speed, an acceleration time of
around 7.8sec to make 100km/h
from a standstill can be expected.
That’s quick for a 1700kg vehicle.
I used my normal high country
run for the new model.
That included a burst through
the roads east of the Malvern
• Price – Subaru Outback
3.6R Premium, $59,990
• Dimensions – Length,
4820mm; width,
1840mm; height,
1675mm
• Configuration – Fourcylinder,
four-wheeldrive,
3630cc, 191kW,
350Nm, six-step
automatic.
• Performance –
0-100km/h, 7.8.sec
• Fuel usage –
9.9l/100km
Hills. The Outback wagon is a
true touring vehicle and it sits
quietly on the road with little
noise intrusion.
As its name suggests, the
Outback is a model which has
been engineered for life off the
sealed roads. Even though its
wagon configuration wouldn’t
suggest that, it is a genuine
off-road vehicle with Subaru’s
widely-acclaimed, permanently-engaged,
symmetrical
four-wheel-drive system. There
is also 213mm of ground clearance,
while the long travel
suspension is soft and absorbing
for those big hits on crosscountry
tracks.
The weather was wet during
my testing time, and I wasn’t
up for a filthy vehicle challenge
when I got home, so I drove
only a short distance on shingle
roads to get a feel of the suspension
off the sealed surface.
I can report it deals well to ruts
and corrugations, and from
previous experience with the
Outback in tough, undulating
slippery conditions it is a worthy
of its mantle.
The six-cylinder Outback is
available in one specification
only – high grade. It is labelled
Premium and comes with a
range of specification that has
it sitting on the outer periphery
of the luxury car market.
And at $59,990 in this form,
it is reaching up in price, but
you do get a lot of car for the
money, especially terms of its
engineering.
Take into account, too, the
Outback is one of the few genuine
wagons left in today’s new
car market, it has versatility and
practicality stamped all over it.
The South Island has historically
been a strong base for
Subaru sales and with the ski
season due to open on Friday,
I’m picking the Outback in all
forms will make up a solid
percentage of cars sitting in the
Mt Hutt car park.
Gardening
Cute cornflowers
• By Henri Ham
IF YOU’RE after a cottage-garden or
wildflower vibe in your garden then look no
further than cornflowers.
Their ruffled and colourful flowers will
add an easy-care, pretty look to any home
and garden.
Typically cornflowers are blue but you
can get mixed bundles of seedlings which
includes pink, lilac, white, purple and blue
flowers.
If you don’t have much of a garden, never
fear, cornflowers also grow very well in pots
and look particularly nice when grown with
lobelia in containers.
If you’re planting in the garden, look for
a sunny, well-drained spot with soil that
isn’t too sour. If you’re growing your cornflowers
in a pot, as always, I recommend
tipping out any old soil and replacing with
new potting mix.
Then dig a little hole and plant each seedling
around 10cm apart.
QUESTION
GARDENING
ADVICE with
We have a two-year-old peach tree which unfortunately needs to be relocated. Please could you let me know if
this is the correct time to transplant it as it has now shed all its leaves. If so, could you advise the correct way of
going about it?
Today’s winning question came from Valarie Lee. Congratulations!
ANSWER
Winter is the safest time for transplanting all trees and shrubs. Prune your peach tree prior
to moving as this will make it easier to handle and reduce the possibility of transplant shock.
While the two-year-old peach tree will have quite an extensive root system, do not
be overly concerned if you have to shorten some of the larger roots.
Before the move, make sure to prepare the site well; ensuring it is
sheltered from the wind with free draining soil which has been broken
up, and compost has been added.
Firm the peach tree into position and lightly water, making
sure there is adequate contact with the soil and the root
system (eg: young root hairs so they can start growing).
Apply a layer of Daltons Garden Mulch & Grow around
the top, but not touching the tree trunk. Peach trees are
somewhat nutrient hungry so apply Daltons Goldcote
Fruit and Citrus Tree Fertiliser from mid-late October to
early December at 4-6 weekly intervals, recommencing
again in March through to April, applying at the same
intervals.
Complimentary products to try: Daltons Compost range,
Daltons Premium Planter Tabs.
For more gardening advice and tips on
growing fruit trees, check out our How to
Grow Fruit Trees and Berries guide at
www.daltons.co.nz/how-to-guides
June/July are the best months to plant, relocate and prune roses (once
dormant). Choose a spot in the garden with plenty of sun, that is not
crowded by other plants or trees, as good air fl ow reduces the risk of
rose pests and diseases. Feed with Daltons Premium Rose Fertiliser
for strong, healthy blooms.
BE IN
TO WIN!
Send us your
gardening
question
to be in to win!
$80
PRIZE
PACK!
We have a Daltons Premium Rose Care and
Planting pack to give away. Valued at over $80,
it contains:
• 2x Daltons Compost
• Daltons Premium Rose Fertiliser
• 2 x Daltons Premium Flower Bed Mix
• PLUS a pair of comfortable, versatile
Red Back gardening gloves from
Omni Products (www.omniproducts.co.nz)
Email your question
and glove size to:
chchstar@daltons.co.nz
Entries must be received
by 13th June 2018