Newsletter
11th February 2010
Legacy/Outback–Car of the Year
Subaru’s new Legacy and Outback range is Driver magazine’s 2010 Car of the Year.
The stunning new range of sedans, wagons and crossover vehicles have been judged the best new car launched in 2009 by the magazine’s panel of judges.
“The Subaru excelled in every area of judging, with the panel considering engineering/build, equipment/value, active safety, environmental responsibility and driving dynamics,” said Driver.
“The Driver award is for the entire Legacy/Outback range rather than a single model. And what a comprehensive range it is. From mainstream 2.5-litre four-cylinder sedans and wagons, to the luxury 3.6-litre sedan, to the turbocharged GT performance models and finally the Outback crossover wagon, not one of the variants in the new range disappoints.”
“The Legacy/Outback remains a unique buying proposition in every segment in which it competes, and has stayed true to Subaru core values: idiosyncratic styling, a driver-focused chassis and horizontally-opposed 'Boxer' engines with full-time all wheel drive right across the range. It represents the highest levels of driver enjoyment and safety.”
New generation Legacy and Outback have achieved a global “Triple Crown” for safety, earning coveted 5-star ANCAP, 5-star Euro NCAP and Top Safety Pick in US NHTSA safety testing and are two of only a handful of vehicles to pass rollover crash testing – introduced for the first time in 2009 - conducted by the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) in North America.
“The considerable advances made by Subaru in areas of quality, refinement and especially fuel economy also captured the attention of our judges,” said Driver.
“The four-cylinder engines are particularly worthy of mention. The 2.5-litre petrol unit has been revised and retuned, with power delivery more focused on mid-range torque. The Lineartronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) fitted to the automatic versions is impressive; it performs seamlessly, even for the enthusiast driver, and endows Legacy with the best fuel economy in its class.”
The Subaru Lineartronic™ CVT is world first technology being the first longitudinally mounted CVT system for All Wheel Drive production vehicles. With the CVT the Outback 2.5 is the most economical medium sized crossover SUV in the New Zealand market with an overall fuel consumption of 8.4 litres/100 kilometres as measured by the Australian Design Rules testing procedure. Independent testing by the NZ AA it has recorded 7.17 lit/100 kms.
The Legacy CVT is also rated at 8.4 by the ADR and an even more impressive 6.83 by the AA’s independent testing.
“The 'Boxer Diesel' 2.0-litre power plant, added to the ranger proper for the first time in 2009 and available in both Legacy and Outback, is even more impressive,” said Driver. “Arguably the finest four-cylinder diesel in the world, it combines the potential for extreme thrift (the Australian Design Rules mandated fuel economy figure for the sedan is just 5.9-litres per 100km) with a massive amount of torque and unique aural character.”
This is the world’s first Boxer Diesel engine for a motor vehicle and is also a technological masterpiece. The 2.0-litre turbo-diesel generates phenomenal torque and responsiveness, but is miserly in its fuel consumption. The AA’s independent testing recorded 5.74 and 5.80 litres/100 kms for the Legacy wagon and Outback respectively.
“And performance-minded buyers have the choice of the rapid GT turbocharged models, or the more relaxed 3.6-litre 'Boxer six' - the latter in both the Legacy sedan and flagship Outback wagon.”
The Driver Car of the Year award is open to all new models launched in the 2009 calendar year, providing the are fitted as standard with stability control and side impact airbags, and available through a distributor-backed dealer network nationwide. The judging panel selects a shortlist of five, which are then re-evaluated and ranked according to the five criteria above. Points are awarded according to the rankings in each category, to a maximum of 100 per car for each judge.
The Legacy/Outback was a clear winner in the 2010 Driver Car of the Year Award, with 240 points from a total possible score of 300 from the three judges.
This award adds to the NZ Autocar Medium/Large Car of the Year Award, which Legacy claimed late last year.
5th February 2010
Fresh look for Mazda6
Two years after its debut, the second-generation Mazda6 is set to further extend the Zoom-Zoom ownership experience with even more driving enjoyment and packaging enhancement as well as improved environmental responsibility and safety performance.
Mazda’s globally acclaimed mid-size car has been refined and evolved and is being progressively introduced around the world, with initial release in Japan and Europe this month, with New Zealand and Australia launches a couple of months later.
Subtle enhancements to the winning formula of the Mazda6 mean a more refined yet sportier appearance with the continued fun-to-drive factor ingrained in Mazda’s vehicles.
“The Mazda6 has proven to be the medium sized vehicle of choice for Kiwi motorists, consistently leading its class,” said Andrew Clearwater, Managing Director, Mazda New Zealand. “The latest upgrades and new features are sure to strengthen the vehicle’s appeal even further and reinforce its credentials as the category benchmark.”
Exterior changes see the Mazda6 adopt the bold new Mazda family face with a redesigned five-point front grille with strong flowing lines and a centrally-positioned five-point lower grille.
Other design elements include new front and rear lamps, and chrome detailing for an enhanced sporty appearance.
Inside, new materials and surface treatments provide for a more refined cabin space. In response to growing demand for hands-free mobile phone connectivity, Bluetooth will be equipped as standard equipment on all models.
The Mazda6 also features retuned suspension and steering systems with a focus on responsiveness and improved ride comfort.
All models are equipped with Mazda’s single-nanocatalyst technology, which provides superb exhaust purification performance while reducing the amount of precious metals needed by over 70 percent.
The Mazda6 will be offered in three body styles, Sedan, Sport hatch and Wagon powered by 2.0L and 2.5L engines and a range of exterior colours including the new Clear Water Blue. Like all Mazda passenger cars, the Mazda6 comes standard with mazdacare which ensures the vehicle continues to perform in optimum condition and helps protect the outstanding resale value of the Mazda6. mazdacare comprises of a Mazda Genuine Factory Warranty and Mazda On Call Roadside Assistance for a 3 year, unlimited kilometre period and Genuine Mazda Servicing for 3 years/100,000 km (whichever occurs first).
9th December 2009
Legacy Awarded Again
The new generation All Wheel Drive Subaru Legacy has been awarded the Medium/Large Car of the Year award by AMI and New Zealand Autocar Magazine. This is the third consecutive generation of Legacy to receive an Autocar Car of the Year award rounding out a decade of excellence for Legacy.
Launched in 1989, Legacy has won a wide variety of awards over the last 20 years including Japan Car of the Year in 2003, six NZ Autocar Car of the Year Awards over the past decade including two overall Autocar Car of the Year titles, and two AA Motoring Excellence Awards.
The new generation of Legacy has also been awarded the prestigious “Triple Crown” of safety awards: 5-star ANCAP, 5-star Euro NCAP, and the US Top Safety Pick from the IIHS.
Highly rated from its earliest days for crashworthiness, Legacy helped establish Subaru’s safety credentials in New Zealand, with every variant getting dual front airbags in 1994.
Ten years later in 2004, every new Legacy received a 5-star rating for occupant safety from the independent and respected Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP). Today, every Subaru in the range has a 5-star ANCAP rated model and Impreza is New Zealand’s safest car according to independent ANCAP crash testing.
In its fifth generation form launched this year, Legacy is larger yet more economical than any predecessor and produces the lowest emissions.
Together with Outback, it has introduced the sophisticated and ultra-efficient Lineartronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) to the range. Offering petrol fuel economy of just just 8.4 litres per 100km. The new Legacy 2.0D Boxer Diesel variant has fuel economy from just 5.9 litres per 100km.
“In many ways Legacy is the spirit of Subaru”, says Graeme Woodlands, Managing Director of Subaru of New Zealand.
“It was our first model with global appeal and moved the brand away from its utilitarian roots to becoming a premium Japanese automotive marque.
“Not only has it established a reputation as an outstanding car, it also pioneered our early rally motorsport success story.
“The first turbocharged Legacy paved the way for the fantastic successes that followed with the Subaru World Rally Team.
“In fact, the first ever Subaru World Rally Championship victory was here in New Zealand in a Legacy RS in 1993, driven by Colin McRae.
“The range has grown substantially over the years to now include four-cylinder 2.5-litre sedans and wagons, turbocharged GTs, a 3.6-litre six-cylinder sedan and a 2.0-litre Boxer Diesel.
Subaru Legacy milestones:
1989: Legacy launched in New Zealand
1991: RS Turbo version launched
1994: All Legacys get dual front airbags
2000: Legacy wins Autocar Car of the Year and Autocar Medium Car of the Year with third generation Legacy.
2003: Legacy awarded Japanese Car of the Year and Sunday Star-Times Large Car of the Year.
2004: Every Legacy achieves a five-star crashworthiness rating for occupant safety from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP). Legacy wins Autocar Car of the Year and Autocar Medium Car of the Year with fourth generation Legacy.
2005: Legacy wins AA Motoring Excellence Award in the Safety Category and AA Motoring Excellence Award in the 4-cylinder category with Legacy 2.5i.
2006: Legacy Turbocharged engine wins International Engine of the Year in the 2.0 to 2.5-litre Category.
2008: Legacy Turbocharged engine again wins International Engine of the Year in the 2.0 to 2.5-litre Category.
2008: Every Subaru Legacy has electronic stability control as a standard feature and a 5-Star ANCAP rating.
2009: Legacy wins “Triple Crown” of safety:
5-Star ANCAP Safety Rating
5-Star Euro NCAP Safety Rating
Top Safety Pick U.S. Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS)
Legacy wins Autocar Medium/Large Car of the Year with fifth generation Legacy
26 November 2009
Mazda3 receives top international safety rating
The new-generation Mazda3, which was launched into the New Zealand market in April, has been awarded a maximum 5-Star rating by the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP).
In 2009, Euro NCAP has implemented a more stringent evaluation system that awards a single overall vehicle safety rating combining scores achieved in four key areas: Adult Occupant Safety Performance, Child Protection Assessment Test, Pedestrian Protection Assessment Test and Safety Equipment.
“The rating given by the European New Car Assessment Programme means the Mazda3 is one of the safest cars available in today’s market,” said Andrew Clearwater, Managing Director, Mazda New Zealand.
“We place great emphasis on producing safe vehicles that are also stylish and fun to drive. This was demonstrated again earlier this year with the Mazda6 also receiving a 5-star rating from the new Euro NCAP evaluation system. The Mazda2 received the top 5 star rating under the previous rating system in late 2007,” said Clearwater.
The Mazda3 was also recognised as a 2009 Top Safety Pick from the US Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and has been named Canadian Car of the Year 2010 – Best New Small Car, the Malaysian CIMB Preferred & Getacar’s Best Junior Sports Saloon for 2009 and Scotland’s Best Family Car 2009.
Mazda was also recently awarded the 2009 Automotive Researchers’ and Journalists’ Conference of Japan (RJC) Technology of the Year award for its unique idling stop system – i-stop. The i-stop technology reduces fuel consumption by automatically shutting down the engine when the car stops in heavy traffic and instantly restarts the engine before the car moves again.
The Mazda3 has proven to be popular in New Zealand with local buyers and consistently features in the Top 10 selling models every month since its April launch.
Other Mazda vehicles to receive international accolades this year include the rotary powered RX-8 which received Malaysian CIMB Preferred & Getacar’s Best Four Door Coupe for 2009 and the MX-5 roadster, which not only celebrated its 20th birthday but took home the Australian Wheels Gold Star Cars Awards’ Best Sports Roadster under $150,000.
