bay driver 3 june 2016

Friday 3 June 2016

Larger than life

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Some would argue the Ford Zephyr or perhaps the Zodiac

were the most iconic cars in New Zealand’s automotive history,

while others would argue for the Holden Kingswood or Premier. As a latecomer to the debate, being part Generation X, I proudly put

forward the Subaru Legacy for consideration.

While many purists would tell me to wash my mouth out after making such an unpat-riotic statement, and I may even be at risk of receiving hate mail, I point out the Zephyr and Zodiac were inspired by Britain.

And while some Holdens were manufac-tured here up until 1967, it may surprise many to know the HQ was manufactured n Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and

even assembled by Mazda in Japan through-out the 1970s. Therefore, after 26 years selling all-wheel drive cars in New Zealand, n my opinion anyway, Subaru has well and

truly earned its place as a Kiwi icon.

Quintessential SubaruIn 2016 Subaru has launched its most

aspirational model yet, the stylish sixth gen-eration All-Wheel Drive Legacy.

The new Legacy is arguably a large car – bigger than the brand has ever offered before – with some even referring to it as a grand touring car. The technology would blow the mind of anyone who hasn’t test-driven a brand new Japanese car brand in the last two years. There’s features like the all new Vision Assist, which has been added to the EyeSight active safety system and includes blind-spot monitoring, lane guidance, auto-dimming rear view mirror and rear cross traffi c alerts.

But what continues to set Subaru apart after all these years is its AWD ability.

AWD versus 4WDThe new Legacy offers an ideal combi-

nation of comfort and safety with sporty high-quality road performance regardless of weather or road condition. And this is all thanks to its full-time symmetrical AWD system. AWD has been around for Subaru since 1972 and is well-proven – and as you might expect is much more advanced.

All-Wheel Drive is now used in everything from supercars with out-of-this-world perfor-mance to family crossovers and SUVs.

The biggest difference between AWD and 4WD is an AWD system is on full time.

There are two types of AWD: mechanical and electronic. The most common way of accomplishing a capable, mechanical AWD system is by using three differentials.

A differential is a box of gears and engi-neering magic that can take power from the transmission and split it at different levels between two wheels or the front and rear axles. In AWD, this system works to get power to the wheels with the most traction by splitting power between the front and rear axles on the centre differential and the indi-vidual wheels by way of the front and rear differential. This is useful in slippery condi-tions when different wheels might be getting different amounts of grip from moment to moment.

These days…In the last few years computers got involved

in most AWD systems. Sensors on each wheel monitor traction, wheel speed, and several other data points hundreds of times per second. Other technologies come into play here for Subaru – Vehicle Dynamics Control with traction control and torque vectoring.

This is in addition to AWD, it’s not part of the AWD system, but works in conjunction with the AWD system. An Engine Control Unit dictates which wheel the power is sent to, depending on which has the least grip. The Subaru Legacy takes AWD one step further with Symmetrical AWD – this system consists of a longitudinally-mounted boxer engine coupled to a symmetrical drive-train with equal length half-axles.

The combination of the symmetrical layout with a fl at engine and transmission balanced over the front axle provides optimum weight distribution with a low centre of gravity, improving car handling characteristics which are second-to-none and therefore perfect for the wide-ranging and often treacherous New Zealand road conditions.

Gravel versus grassWith all this extra traction we were torn on

where to test-drive this car. We initially con-templated the gravel roads of rural Welcome Bay, which presented an opportunity to try the car out on true Kiwi AWD terrain.

But I got the feeling from Farmer Auto Vil-lage Subaru sales manager Darrel Nicholson that he did not approve of getting his shiny new Legacy back to him covered in dust.

So when we were invited by James Napier AKA ‘Jimmy’, the head professional at Mount Maunganui Golf Club, to come for a spin around their the 106-year-old course.

The choice was a no-brainer. Jimmy, who owns the Mount Golf Shop based at the club in Fairway Drive, gave us exclusive access to the 18th hole of the 900-plus member club for our photo shoot. With a view of the Mount in the background, and Jimmy’s put-ting skills in the foreground, the stylish lines of the all new Legacy couldn’t have been in better company. It is worth noting that not only did Jimmy’s clubs fi t in the boot with

plenty of room to spare, he was obviously so comfortable with them in there he left them in there overnight until Darrel discovered them the following morning well after we’d returned the car. On ya Jimmy.

The verdict Overall, the Legacy is an impressive large

car inside and out. Subaru has made a lot of improvements to create a car that easily fi ts into the large car bracket. Will it be a realistic alternative to the large NZ rear wheel drive car? We think so. The 3.6RS is a well-built unit, it looks great; and if there were boxes for everything you could ever want in a family sedan, the new Subaru Legacy ticks them all.


Matt Batchelor

Features as standard:* The 2016 Subaru Legacy 3.6RS

* 3630cc DOHC 24 valve

* Six-speed auto

* Five star ANCAP safety rating

* Symmetrical AWD

* 12-speaker Harman Kardon Sound

System including sub-woofer

* ABS, Stability control, Traction

control

* Blind spot detection, lane change

assist, Rear cross traffi c assist

* Reversing camera

* Three car seat anchor points and two

* ISOFIX car seat anchor points

* Three-year unlimited warranty

* RRP: $49,990 + on-road costs.

Dealership: Famer Auto Village Subaru, 116

Hewletts Rd, Mount Maunganui.

Ph: 07 5786017.

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116 Hewletts RoadMount Maunganui, Tauranga City Tel: 07 578 6017www.farmerautovillage.co.nz Follow us on Facebook

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116 Hewletts RoadMount Maunganui, Tauranga City Tel: 07 578 6017www.farmerautovillage.co.nz Follow us on Facebook


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Motorists are being encouraged to prepare themselves and their vehicles for hazardous winter driving, with a nationwide survey revealing some Kiwis had no idea if their tyre tread

depth was legal or not.Conducted last month by AMI through the

community website Neighbourly, the survey of 748 people shows 22.4 per cent of New Zealand drivers didn’t know if their tyre tread was the legal depth of 1.5mm, while one in 10 Kiwis hadn’t checked their tyre tread depth in the last year.

AMI national technical specialist Chris Kiddey advises drivers there are basic safety checks they can do before they hit the road to help them stay safer during transit.

“People should fi rst and foremost think about the risk to themselves and their fami-lies,” says Chris.

“Vehicles need up to three times more stopping distance on wet roads than in dry conditions, and replacing windscreen wipers that are worn gives you a better chance of being able to see clearly in wet weather.”

The survey also shows one in eight drivers hadn’t checked their windscreen wipers or wiper fl uid level ready for winter.

And 62 per cent of drivers said they don’t routinely check their battery before the change of season. Of those people, 47 per cent said

they hadn’t checked their brakes ready for winter either.

“Cold weather is hard on both brakes and batteries,” says Chris. “Since you get a War-rant of Fitness every year, why not arrange for an annual WOF and service in the run-up to the winter months so you know your battery, brakes and other safety features will be in good condition when it counts?”

Figures from the Ministry of Transport show wintery weather conditions such as rain, mist, snow, strong wind and frost were a factor in 34 fatal crashes that occurred between 2011 and 2015.

AMI is sharing tips to help drivers stay safer on the roads this winter.

• Slow down. The New Zealand Transport Agency says one of the most common causes of a wet weather crash is driving too fast.

The Accident Compensation Corporation has stated although people do slow down in bad weather, the amount they slow down by isn’t actually enough to compensate for poor weather.

• Keep up-to-date with the latest traffi c and weather updates.

• Drive to the current conditions.• Make sure tyres and brakes are in good

working order.• Stock your car with a portable emergency

survival kit of items such as water, spare bat-teries, a torch and list of emergency numbers and important contacts.

• If you don’t have to drive, stay off the road.

Be winter ready before hitting the road

116 Hewletts Road, Mount Maunganui. Tel: 07 578 6017 www.farmerautovillage.co.nz

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Weekend WheelsBay events:June 10: Kulture Shock’s Vintage Friday

The meet-up is on the second Friday of every month from 4pm-8pm at 5 Western Rd, Ngongotaha Village, Rotorua. Bring along your classic car, muscle car, hot rod or motor-bike pre-1985 to Kulture Shock. Even if you don’t own wheels, you’re welcome to join the fun. Bring the family! Details: http://rodders.nz/event

June 24-26: Bay Rodders’ WinterBlast

The annual Bay Rodders WinterBlast Fun Run & Swapmeet is a weekend full of fun. This year’s theme is 1950s Drive In. Saturday meet at Hotel Armitage at 10.30am for Mystery Run. Dinner and Band at hotel that night. Car show and swapmeet at Tauranga’s Durham St Carpark building from 9am-2pm. Details: www.bayrodders.co.nz

June 26: Motorkhana/Autocross

Hosted by Motorsport Bay of Plenty, this event allows club members to race on dirt, gravel and hopefully an optional tarmac or concrete course. Venue yet to be announced. All road cars can enter – no motorsport modifi cations needed. Event is from 10am-4pm. Details: www.mbop.org.nz

July 16-17: Tauranga Clubman’s Rally

Hosted by Motorsport Bay of Plenty, the event runs from 3pm-5pm at TECT All Terrain Park, Pyes Pa, Tauranga. Details: www.mbop.org.nz

July 19: Kartsport BOP Club Day

Held at Fagan’s Valley Raceway, the day starts when gates open at 7am. Scrutineering and registrations from 7.45am-8.45am, driv-ers’ briefi ng 8.45am, tuning run 9am, and racing starts 9.50am. Most race days each class has one practice or tuning run and fi ve heats. The public are welcome to watch racing. Details: www.bopkartclub.org.nz

If you have a vehicle or motorsport listing, please email details to [email protected] at least two weeks prior to the event.


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When John Douglas’ wife’s Mercedes Benz broke down on the weekend recently, he had no idea so much

interest would be generated by using his 1934 Riley Kestrel to ferry

himself to work and back.When parked on The Strand people stopped,

stared and admired the stunning dark green beauty, which sent some minds spinning back to the early days.

While others were just in awe of the 82-year-old darling, which is in original condition with a little wear and tear.

“I did 60-70km in it in one week,” says John, who has taken over respon-sibility for the car with the number plate ‘RILEY9’ from his wife Sue, now 62.

“I guess it’s only partially been mine by virtue of the Property Relationships Act for the last 40 years,” jokes John.

See at age 17 Sue needed a car to get to nursing training. “She wanted to buy a Volkswagen beetle and her father Bob Gudex said: ‘No, I’ve got the car for you’. He picked this up and restored it,” says John.

John and Sue got together in 1974 and married in 1976. “I’ve kept it together with professional help all of this time,” says John.

He and Sue used the Riley as their main transport mode from about 1981, when they returned from England, to about 1985.

Working night-shift at the old Te Puke maternity annex, Sue used to head out at 10 o’clock at night in the Riley when a baby was

on the way. For their children Hannah, Nicola and Sam “we had two children’s car seats in the back”. “It was used to help the kids fall asleep at night, taking them round the block in the Riley that rattles and bangs,” says John.

Then living in Welcome Bay, the family retired it to their Sunday drive mobile.

“And it’s had periods of inactivity. I’ve only recently got it going again with help from Brian Grey. But it’s been running all that time so that’s why it’s still in good condition.”

The British motor industry’s Riley Nine became one of the most suc-cessful light cars produced in the inter-war period. John believes there would be few original condition Riley Kes-trels left in NZ today.

“It was quite ahead of its time. It has aluminium body work and a twin-cam 1100cc motor, which was to beat the MGs to the airfi elds in the 1930s.”

With Sue, and now John, he only owners since 1972

there is rumour of a high profi le motor driver holding the keys before the Douglas family.

“My father-in-law believes its fi rst owner was a famous NZ motor-racing driver by the name of Ron Roycroft – but we can’t confi rm this.”

But today there’s no racing, just a few Sunday jaunts and a swing or two past the offi ce when John’s everyday car fails him.

And while Sue no longer drives the car, the reason they still have it. “Sue has owned it for such a long time we could not part with it.”

A real timeless beauty stuns Tauranga

In 1993 John and Sue Douglas with

their children Nicola, Hannah and Sam and the 1934 Riley Kestrel.

Today Sue Douglas shows her two granddaughters, Sophie and Charlotte the 1934 Riley Kestrel.

Merle Foster

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bay driver 3 june 2016

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