Mazda 6 Touring diesel

                                         

 

Mazda is one of the most popular brands sold in Australia.

The Mazda 6 the choice for many buyers in the mid sized market.

Figures to July 2013 show it was the second highest seller in the segment, (4,933) behind Toyota's Camry. (12,196) (VFACTS)

Until recently Mazda had no diesel passenger cars on sale here.

Thankfully the company recognised the need for one, thanks to growing demand from consumers for  high torque, extremely fuel efficient diesel powered vehicles.

So, enter the Mazda 6 diesel

Coincidentally the car on test here has a similar engine to last week's XF Jaguar. Both are 2.2 litre diesels, The Jaguar has 450 nm of torque, the Mazda 420. The Jaguar develops 140 kw, the Mazda 129. Both have similar average fuel consumption...around 5.5 litres per 100 kilometres, and both have the now familiar "idle stop" fuel saving feature..

The Mazda to it's credit,outshines the Jag in noise levels. the engine is quieter that the British luxury brand.

Straight line performance is also almost on par.

You won't find the Mazda lagging when given full throttle, it leaps ahead with real gusto.

The Mazda 6 even looks a little like the Jaguar in profile, a sleek handsome shape that is very eye catching.

But that's where the similarity ends.

The ride quality on the Mazda 6 is disappointing...it's much too firm for a mid range semi luxury family car. You feel every bump and crack in the road. I was expecting a slightly more plush, less sporty system. That said, the taut suspension does enable swift cornering, with no noticeable body roll.

I say it's disappointing because the rest of the car is terrific.

The interior looks classy, like it  belongs in a much more expensive model.

Quality materials well put together,are evident everywhere.

The dashboard layout surrounding the large central information touch screen is just right.

It has an excellent reversing camera, sat nav, and controls for the superior 11 speaker Bose sound system.

Like BMW, Audi and Mercedes, there is a console mounted "mouse " that allows you to choose the information you'd like to appear on the screen.

I like the trim combination on this car very much. Ivory coloured perforated leather seats, contrast well with the darker dash panel and door cards, with a minimal amount of fake wood.

The seats themselves are well shaped and supportive, and multi adjustable electronically.

Visibility is good all round, and there's enough head and leg room front and rear to suit even the tallest occupants.

Interior lighting is excellent. Overhead lamps light up the cabin like a Christmas tree.

Steering feel is good, no vagueness here, and the wheel itself adjusts for reach and rake.

There's also a hill hold feature that allows you to get off the brake and on the gas without having the car roll backwards.

The boot is exceptionally large and contains a full sized spare tyre, a rarity on many of today's cars.

One feature that needs updating is the keyless entry/start system.Other Mazda models have a door handle button to lock and open the car. It's very convenient and saves fishing in bags and pockets for the key fob every time you go for a drive.

The 6 needs the fob buttons pressed for these functions, then the car starts with a dashboard button. the key in your pocket.

It's a small point but I found it irritating, after using the aforementioned system.

The bonnet is extremely heavy.It takes some considerable effort to raise it.

It's a real struggle to hold it up with one hand, while the other battles to fit the support rod. Some owners might have to have someone else lend a helping hand for this usually simple operation. A couple of gas struts are desperately needed here Mazda.

The Mazda 6 has all the bells and whistles you'd expect and some nice surprises regarding equipment levels, especially considering the price, around 40K.

A softer, more comfortable, compliant suspension would be the icing on the cake.

Peter Sellen

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

Jaguar XF 2.2 Diesel

 



Once upon a time, the very thought of a Jaguar with a diesel engine would have been considered heresy. But things have moved on.

For years Jaguar has had the option of a wonderful PSA group sourced 2.7 litre twin turbo V6 diesel. What an engine that was.

Now Jaguar has a new oiler under the bonnet of the XF saloon.

I must admit the sound of the 2.2 litre four cylinder diesel under that sleek bonnet is a little incongruous, but you get used to it and most certainly will enjoy the fuel savings associated with any diesel over petrol .

The 2.2 diesel has 450 nm of torque, almost into V8 territory, from just 140 kw.

Despite being quite a heavy car the XF is no shrinking violet, when pushed it still manages a very acceptable 0 to 100 time of just over 8 seconds.

As mentioned earlier the new diesel isn't as quiet as I thought it would be. It's audible at idle and under throttle but at cruising speeds you'd be hard pressed to detect it as a diesel.

The XF despatches corners with arrogant ease, sitting flat and neutral through even the most testing corners.

The XF is a superbly well crafted car. The one on test here has Jaguar's "black" option pack.. meaning features including grille, window frames and wheels are highlighted in black where chrome usually resides. The black 20" wheels on this car have silver Allen bolt highlights around the rim giving the car a touch of racetrack aggression.

The ride on those optional 20" wheels is quite good, not as harsh as I would have expected.

The theme continues in the cabin where more piano black adorns the dashboard and door cards. The leather atop the dash is meticulously and beautifully stitched, another sign of Jaguar's attention to detail. Blue mood lighting in the cabin at night emphasises the big Jag's classy look.

The boot is enormous and there's more than enough head and leg room for passengers in the cabin. Multi adjustable steering column and seats make finding the right driving position easy.

A widescreen reversing camera just one of the Jag's innovative safety features.

As is usual with the XF series there is no badge on the boot lid denoting what engine you have under the bonnet, so those keen on giving you a traffic light GP will be kept guessing.

The brilliant 8 speed automatic gearbox can't be faulted, and there are steering wheel paddles for those who prefer them.

The diesel incorporates the latest idle stop/ start fuel saving technology(which can be overridden at the touch of a button.)

That feature helps the big Jaguar sip diesel at an average of just 5 .4 litres per 100 kilometres.

In fact the new 2.2 diesel won an award in late 2012 for the most fuel efficient diesel under three litres, in a three week round Australia run...delivering an average of 3.9 litres per 100 ks.

The XF diesel has an incredible 26 thousand kilometre service interval, rather than the usual 15,000. 

I have never heard of such extended oil change periods, but I trust the engineers know what they are doing.

Even though Jaguar is now owned by the Indian TATA group, the cars are still made in Britain.

XF sales in Australia at July 2013 stood at 507, 100 more than at the same period in 2012.

At an extraordinary $75,000  the XF diesel should be on your shopping list, it looks seductive and desirable, and more than up to the challenge from other prestige manufacturers in economy,value, quality and features.

Peter Sellen 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Audi SQ5

Audi knows a thing or two when it comes to performance diesel engines. It's record of race wins with high power turbo diesels  at Le Mans speaks for itself.
The three litre TDi engine in the standard Q5 is a standout, (also found in other Audi models) and is one of the best if not THE best in the world.
Huge torque, virtually silent, they really are the benchmark.
Add  twin turbos to the engine and it's a whole new ball game.
Absolutely stonking acceleration, that will leave you speechless.
Zero to 100 in 5 seconds, just a tad slower than the stunning petrol 4.2 litre V8 in the RS4.(4.7secs.)
Towering performance from an SUV that sips fuel at an average of just 6.8 litres per 100 kilometres.
230 kilowatts and 650 nm of torque provides exhilarating thrust.
Under full throttle, the diesel in Comfort mode sounds gruff and authoritative, but switch to Dynamic and you'll know you're driving something very special.
To enhance the mechanical symphony, synthetised speakers in the mufflers produce a deep booming exhaust note not unlike a V8. At the same time the steering sensitivity stiffens up, ready to play boy racer through the hills.
Yet  this is also a car that will be happy in school run duties or shopping, it's that versatile.
The usual Q5 accoutrements are all there in the SQ5 .. plenty of room for passengers and luggage, with that hard edged performance lurking just a pedal prod away.
The SQ5 is naturally shod with high performance rubber on 21 inch wheels, that instantly identify it as  a car that means business.
It's a real style statement that separates it from  lesser models.
Ride quality even in Comfort settings is not a magic carpet. The SQ5 gets the jiggles over suburban ruts and manhole covers, but it's the price you would be prepared to pay for the sheer get up and go.
 All the usual Audi niceties are fitted inside, reversing camera, quality sound system and all the high tech gear you'd expect.
Corners are despatched with ease, and even though the SQ5 weighs nigh on two tonnes, and rides higher than a sedan, it's quite nimble, with plenty of steering feedback.
 If you've ever doubted that a diesel is far too mundane and something you'd never want to own, a quick spin around the block in the SQ5 ( or it's slightly less powerful sibling the Q5)  will have you hooked. don't ever underestimate the sheer grunt of a high tech oil burner.
Peter Sellen

KIA Cerato S

The new KIA Cerato is a fine looking device, one of a new wave of small to midsized cars beginning to snare sales from larger vehicles.
In my view the Kia has a more stylish form and classier detail differences than it's Hyundai Elantra sibling.
The Cerato is quite large, nudging the next segment for exterior size.
The steeply raked windscreen is enormous, adding to the aerodynamic flow of the body.
The cabin too is large and spacious with a light airy feel to it, and unlike others with tiny window openings,has reasonably good all round visibility.
When approaching the car at night and with the remote key fob handy, the Cerato swings out its electronically folded external mirrors and greets you with a soft pale mauve glow illuminating the door handles.
When the door is opened the very effective puddle lights in the door sills guide your way.
Other features include plenty of padding on armrests and central console lid, a welcome addition from the hard plastic used on some in its segment..Supersoft protective padding also found in the overhead sunglasses holder.
All windows wind all the way down, unlike some rear glass that stops well short of vanishing into the door. 
The central information screen is easy to use, seats are comfortable, and easily adjusted, but could be better shaped for more grip during spirited cornering.
A steering wheel adjustable for reach and rake, makes easy work of finding a good driving position.
The wheel itself has multiple function buttons for cruise, Bluetooth and audio.
There are three steering "feel" settings, but I couldn't detect any real difference from comfort to sport, and there's a wooden feel to the tiller when manoevering and turning corners. 
Commendably there's a full sized spare tyre.
Slide out extensions on the sunvisors, are a good idea.
On winding roads the Cerato remains flat, neutral and composed, and while not quite in the same league as a Golf or Focus for example, it's more than competent enough for most drivers.
In fact it's pretty good considering the Cerato's unsporting pretensions.
The suspension soaks up most road irregularities.
The 1.8 litre engine is no barnstormer, being not overly endowed with torque, (178 nm)but it acquits itself well, with better than average performance. There's more than enough power to stay out of trouble and it's a very relaxed highway cruiser.The six speed autobox goes about its business smoothly and unobtrusively.
I averaged about 9 litres per 100 kilometres, during a week of mainly urban driving.
The only thing spoiling the cabin ambience is tyre noise. 
It's especially noticeable on smooth urban roads...a whine from beneath that rises and falls with speed.
Just a tad annoying, but could easily be fixed with different tyres, once the originals have past their best.
If a small to medium sized sedan is your wont, you couldn't go far wrong with the Cerato.
It's a well built, capable, competent four seater and priced around 22K good value for money.
Peter Sellen