What makes a book an award winner

ROAD TEST

ONE of Australia’s oldest literary awards is based right here in Townsville.

Since 1967, the Colin Roderick Literary Award has been awarded to the best original book, in the judges’ opinion, that was published in Australia in the previous calendar year, deals with any aspect of Australian life, and is from any field or genre of writing, verse or prose.

Judging panel chair Dr Leigh Dale said the scope of the award made it significant both nationally and internationally. “If I were a writer, it would be the one I want to win,” she said.

“The winning book has to be very special.”

Dr Dale said the challenge in judging the Roderick was that there were different kinds of “bests” when it comes to literature.

“The qualities that make a great thriller are almost the opposite to those that make a great work of scholarship,” she said.

“It’s a bit like the film Best in Show, where to find the champion dog the judges have to compare a poodle, a terrier and a bloodhound.

“The question is not so much how do these compare directly, but how close is each to perfect?”

Dr Dale said each judge had their own approach, but she had a few key criteria.

“I look for originality, quality of writing, and humour,” she said.

“A nonfiction book needs strong, well-researched arguments; a poetry book has to have precise, evocative language; a children’s book usually features a great story, using appropriate language, and compelling images; a crime novel needs to have plausible characters and a strong plot.

“That variety makes the judging great fun.”

Each year, the judges receive between 150 and 200 books — sometimes more — and the judging process takes up to eight months of reading.

“When we read, judges tend to categorise the books as ‘yes’, ‘no’, or ‘maybe’,” Dr Dale said.

“Every book on the shortlist is seen as a potential winner by at least one judge.”

Because there’s only four judges, one person changing their mind can cause a book to drop out of contention, or shoot to the top. “I find it very exciting, going into our final discussions not knowing which book will win,” Dr Dale said.

This year’s Colin Roderick Literary Award was won by Dr Sally Young for her expose of the Australian newspaper industry Paper Emperors: The Rise of Australia’s Newspaper Empires.

which allow customers to choose from a 10th or 11th generation iphone as their budget allows.

Marketing director Danny Lenartic says the approach should pay dividends in uncertain times as customers avoid public transport amid the coronavirus pandemic.

“We’ve seen customers want to move into safer environments — in their own cars rather than public transport,” Lenartic said.

“There are so many factors, particularly this year, that make people want an affordable car that’s packed full of value.

“We saw the market wanted a safer alternative [to trains and buses], and that’s the ZS, which is $21,990 drive-away.”

The new ZST is a fair bit dearer at $29,490 drive-away, justifying the expense with new looks, a larger and more powerful engine, stronger body and improved safety tech.

The double-barrelled approach will build on the extraordinary growth of the brand since its relaunch in late 2016. It sold just 600 vehicles in 2017, a number that grew to 8326 in 2019. So far this year, sales are up by 57 per cent in a market that has slumped by more than 20 per cent.

MG is kicking goals in the affordable hatchback segment, where its compact MG3 outsells the likes of Toyota’s Yaris, Volkswagen’s Polo and the Mazda2.

Lenartic says yet-to-be-published September sales results will raise eyebrows. And the addition of a new model can only help its cause.

Priced from $29,490 drive-away, the ZST gets 17-inch wheels, a huge 10.1-inch touchscreen with Apple Carplay and Android Auto, satnav, smart keys and more.

Premium ZST Essence models add heated front seats with electric driver adjustment, a panoramic sunroof, a second screen with digital readouts in front of the driver and more for a further $3000.

Both cars have impressive safety gear comprising six airbags and a range of crash avoidance tech called MG Pilot. It includes auto emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot detection, lane departure warning and rear cross-traffic alert systems.

In what MG claims is a first for the segment, the ZST can stop and take off automatically in traffic jams. A 360-degree reversing camera gives a birds’ eye view of the car when manoeuvring into tight parking spots.

Though it has extra driver aids and a reinforced frame, the new model carries over a four-star safety the previous-generation ZS earned in 2017. ANCAP marked it down for marginal leg protection, “insufficient inflation of the passenger airbag” and mixed results for pedestrian protection. MG Australia doesn’t plan to have the new ZST tested — it’s possible that the improved model could score five stars, or fall short of updated criteria that grow stricter each year. Stepping inside, the MG’S cabin looks attractive, with faux carbon fibre, soft-touch vinyl seats and leather touchpoints elsewhere in the cabin.

There are five USB points sprinkled throughout, including a clever outlet tucked into the rear view mirror for dash cam users.

Taller drivers may be frustrated by a high seating position and a steering wheel without reach adjustment, which compromises comfort on longer trips. Rear room is impressive, with particularly generous headroom. There is no armrest or air vents for the back, but twin USB points keep gadgets on the go.

Power comes from a new 1.3-litre, threecylinder turbo engine with 115kw and 230Nm maximums. That’s 40 per cent more power than the 1.0-litre turbo in the top-spec MG ZS. Those figures aren’t bad for a car this size, but an official fuel figure of 7.1L/100km is on the thirsty side, and premium unleaded is required.

A six-speed automatic transmission sends drive to the front wheels.

While Chinese cars haven’t historically offered the last word in quality, our test example impressed with no rattles or obvious quality shortcomings along with a more thorough paintjob than the likes of Toyota’s Yaris, which has unfinished elements under the bonnet.

Previous efforts felt as though they were rushed out of the factory on a Friday afternoon, but the ZST’S tighter shutlines and polished finish suggest MG is listening to criticism.

The same goes for a more finessed implementation of its latest driver assistance suite, which does a better job of working in the background to keep you safe.

There’s no capped price servicing program but services are relatively cheap at $1504 for five years. MG backs its vehicles with a sevenyear, unlimited-kilometre warranty and seven years of roadside assistance.

The new motor feels punchy on the road, with more than enough grunt to feel effortless when overtaking or climbing steep hills. It’s a worthy upgrade from the underwhelming 1.5litre non-turbo motor in the base ZS, presenting as a quieter and more muscular alternative to the range’s entry point.

A conventional six-speed auto driving the front wheels is seamless at low speed and smooth on the open road, proving a better bet than the occasionally frustrating seven-speed dual-clutch auto of the larger MG HS crossover.

The ZST’S suspension is a touch firmer than class leaders, bringing a busier ride than you might expect from a compact SUV. But it’s by no means uncomfortable, and there is plenty of grip on hand, thanks in part to the inclusion of premium Michelin rubber.

The MG ZST is the brand’s best effort yet. Improved quality and on-road behaviour make it a worthy upgrade from the brand’s cheaper offerings.

Ford’s new Puma is a huge step up in class from its predecessor, the Ecosport. The European-designed and built compact crossover can hold its own with any of the new arrivals in this hypercompetitive segment of the new-car market.

Which is just as well, because there’s been a flurry of activity in the compact SUV market in recent months, leaving buyers spoiled for choice.

New arrivals include Nissan’s Juke and Volkswagen’s T-roc and T-cross, while a new Peugeot 2008 is expected next month.

Sharing its name with a discontinued Ford coupe that never made it to Australia, the Puma is loosely based on the latest Fiesta hatchback.

While Ford only sells one Fiesta model — the red-hot, manual-only Fiesta ST — the Puma has a wider range of model choices, all powered by an efficient 1.0-litre turbo engine and seven-speed automatic transmission.

The range starts with the regular Puma priced from $31,990 drive-away, which is competitive if not outstanding for the class. It’s reasonably well equipped, with LED headlights, 17-inch alloys and an 8-inch touchscreen with seven speakers, satnav, Apple Carplay and Android Auto.

Want a new car that won’t cost you a cent outside of rego and insurance for six years? Audi’s first electric vehicle, the e-tron, could do the trick.

The five-seat SUV comes with six years of free servicing and all public charging costs covered. There is a big catch, though: You’ll pay plenty up front.

As with all EVS, the e-tron — the start of an electric family that will include a smaller SUV and sporty four-door — costs a lot more than a regular SUV.

The 50 variant starts at $150,000 and is available as a regular SUV or sleeker “Sportback” shape, which costs an extra $11,000 and has less headroom and boot space.

An Audi Q5 with similar performance is about half the price, albeit with less space and equipment.

The step to the 55 — with a bigger battery and more power — adds about $10,000.

There’s not much missing from the equipment list. It includes leather, dual-zone ventilation, smart key, 360-degree camera, auto emergency braking, blind-spot warning and doors that delay opening to save hitting a car or cyclist.

The Sportback adds a head-up display and sports seats.

All three models get a trio of digital screens, including a customisable instrument cluster and dual infotainment screens for navigation, audio, ventilation and Apple Carplay/android Auto.

A Premium Plus pack adds Bang & Olufsen sound, quad-zone air and 21-inch wheels (up from 20s), among other trinkets. A First

Edition, available only on the 55, has more gear and a price edging closer to $190,000.

As with rival electric SUVS, acceleration is swift.

The e-tron 50 zips to 100km/h in 6.8 seconds, a near-instant surge on tap at any prod of the throttle. A larger motor at the rear means most of its 230kw/540nm peak drives the rear wheels for a sportier feel. Paddles on the steering wheel can adjust the level of

Look no further than the Sorento to witness the ascension of Kia. Impressive technology, good looks and it’s backed by one of the best warranties in the business. Over the past decade the Korean brand has evolved and been embraced by Australians. Encouraged by the seven-year warranty and rapidly improving designs under the guidance of former Audi guru Peter Schreyer, Kia has excelled as the youthful brand alongside sister company Hyundai.

The two brands often share platforms, tech and mechancial components, and Hyundai this year had the mantle as one of the best on-road seven-seater SUVS with its Santa Fe. Now the Sorento has arrived it has serious competition.

Base models start from less than $47,000 drive-away, but the top-shelf diesel Gt-line we tested is $64,990.

Look around the cabin and it would be easy to confuse the environs with a prestige European.

Quilted nappa leather seat trim looks plush, clean lines are created by a 10.25-inch colour infotainment screen with smartphone mirroring apps, then there’s the digital 12.3-inch driver instruments, panoramic sunroof, 12speaker Bose stereo and all this riding on 20inch alloys — the features list trumps SUVS surpassing $100,000.

White is the only colour which doesn’t attract a premium, with silver, grey, blue, black and pearl white adding $695.

Capped price servicing is available for seven scheduled maintenance intervals (annual or every 15,000km) if you return to the dealer, the average price is just less than $500. That might be expensive compared to come Japanese rivals, such as Toyota, but Kia does have a strong list of inclusions which many omit from capped price plans.

The seven-year warranty has long been the industry best, matched by Ssangyong and MG, but Mitsubishi just announced 10 years or 200,000km — watch for Kia follow suit.

Australia’s crash safety experts are yet to provide an official rating, but expect the Sorento to rank highly.

Meeting modern expectations with the inclusion of autonomous emergency braking that can apply the brakes for the driver if a collision with a pedestrian, vehicle or cyclist is detected (also works in reverse), as well as blind spot monitoring to avoid side swiping, radar cruise control to maintain set distances from other vehicles and an attention warning function which monitors various inputs and tells the driver to take a break when required.

Among the new additions in the Gt-line is a blind spot view when changing lanes. Once the indicator is applied, within the driver’s instruments a camera view is provided of the blind spot area — Honda has previously showcased something similar from Honda, but only on the left side of the vehicle.

Being longer, wider and taller than its predecessor, the Sorento is a spacious offering which comfortably suits seven.

While the rearmost seats are still best left to kids for longer journeys, generous leg, head and knee room is available in the first two rows.

Kia has certainly raised the bar with fit, finish and infotainment.

The leather looks and feels high-end, together with gloss black and metal-style trims throughout the cabin, it’s a new level of opulence for the brand. Like functionality we’re used to in Audis, Benzes and Beemers, you can choose from 64 ambient lighting colour options. That’s mightly fancy.

Operations are simple and easily navigated, with toggles and buttons well labelled, while the primary touchscreen is simple to use and connects easily with Android Auto or Apple Carplay. While the 2021 Picanto, Rio and Seltos models have wireless smartphone mirroring, you still need to plug the phone into a cord and the central USB position in the Sorento.

Third row passengers have a 12-volt outlet, two USB ports and aircon controls. Those in the second row also have USB sockets in the back of the front seats. Another three USB ports are found up front, and there is also a wireless phone charger.

Other common sense functions aren’t forgotten with eight cupholders, integrated into the door handles in the second row, along with four bottle holders. With all seats in use there’s about 180 litres of space, that expands to more than 600 with the third row collapsed and more than 2000 with the two pews flat.

Quiet on the road, the Sorento provides a serene experience for all aboard.

While the front-wheel drive V6 petrol engine remains an option, the best pick is the new fourcylinder turbo diesel.

Smooth and meaty acceleration comes courtesy of 440Nm of torque. All-wheel drive grip ensures the seven-seater gets going with purpose, although the steering can feel vague.

Fuel consumption levels have dropped dramatically with the diesel donk, the official figure from Kia is an average of 6.1L for every 100km. We only managed 7.2L, yet that remains thrifty for a vehicle that can haul seven.

The overall driving experience is an easy one, with the Sorento defying its growing proportions by being simple to park and pilot around town or on the highway.

Among the key changes is a rotary dial instead of a conventional gear shifter and the driver simply has to swivel between park, reverse and drive rather that shift forward or backward.

The only annoyance is the satnav warning system surrounding speed cameras and other traffic impediments that we’ve also experienced in Hyundais — the beeps and bongs are loud and intensely annoying.

Having a three-pointed star, propeller or four rings on the grille would be nice, but why pay double?

Svelte looks inside and out. This has the latest in infotainment and the netball team needs inspiring tunes on the way to the game.