Mitsubishi’s next big play? Meet the Outlander Sport HEV
There’s a new Mitsubishi heading our way and, while it might wear the familiar Outlander badge, this one feels like the start of something bigger. At its Diamond Dealer awards on May 8, Mitsubishi Motors New Zealand pulled the covers off the new Outlander Sport HEV, the brand’s first-ever hybrid electric vehicle for the Kiwi […]
Gentlefolk, start your engines! The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride is this Sunday, and you can be part of it!
The countdown is on! One Week To Go for Auckland’s Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride 2026, and I’m riding it! In our Tarmac effort to attend as many events as possible in 2026, one of the most special ones is just around the corner. This weekend, I’ll be buttoning up a jacket, putting on a peak hat […]
Why Building a Car Chassis Is One of the Hardest Jobs in the Auto Industry
When most people think about a car, they picture the shiny bits first. The horsepower figure. The touchscreen. The leather seats. Maybe the giant wheels that make supermarket parking a high-stakes game of roulette. But beneath all of that glamour sits the single most important part of any vehicle: the chassis. It’s the skeleton, nervous […]
All-new Lexus RZ is here
Lexus has dropped the all-new RZ into New Zealand, and according to them, it’s a proper EV for people who actually drive. The launch at Kinloch gave local media (we unfortunately missed out) a chance to run the RZ through real-world roads and a few focused exercises that showed what the package is about: precise […]
New MG4 lands in NZ – longer range, sharper cabin, and a 3.8s AWD rocket
MG’s breakthrough hatchback returns in 2026 with a clear mission, keep the driver-focused fun of the original MG4 while lifting cabin quality, tech and range, and doing it at a price that will turn heads in Aotearoa. The new range starts with the rear-wheel-drive Essence 64 from $44,990 MRP plus on-road costs and an all-wheel-drive […]
Lexus TZ – a three-row “Driving Lounge” BEV
Lexus has lifted the curtain on the all-new TZ (its first three-row battery electric SUV) and it’s aiming to change how families think about road trips. Built from the ground up on a dedicated BEV platform, the TZ blends Lexus-level quietness and refinement with a lounge-like cabin designed around comfort, shared time and relaxed conversation. […]
BMW Group’s two-millionth EV production milestone
BMW has just rolled a major milestone into the electric era, the two-millionth all-electric vehicle built by the BMW Group is a Tansanit Blue BMW i5 M60 xDrive assembled at Plant Dingolfing, destined for a customer in Spain. Why this matters (and why it’s exciting) What the numbers say about BMW today Global footprint: The […]
GWM’s Advanced & Comprehensive Powertrain Strategy (an idiot’s guide)
Great Wall Motors (GWM) is driving innovation across the automotive landscape, developing a comprehensive full-powertrain strategy designed to meet the diverse needs of drivers worldwide. From conquering extreme off-road terrains to navigating bustling city streets, GWM’s advanced technologies in hybrid, plug-in hybrid, battery electric, and even hydrogen powertrains ensure a powerful, efficient, and safe driving […]
Stylish Arcfox T1 crossover brings premium EV tech for under $35k
Yes ANOTHER Chinese brand land in NZ, but hear us out. Arcfox is the electric vehicle arm of long-established Chinese automaker BAIC and it’s rolling into showrooms soon through Auto Distribution Holdings. It positions itself as a technology-driven, design-led brand and will debut locally with the compact yet roomy T1 crossover, promising high-end features without […]
GWM’s Strategy for Top 5 Dominance in NZ and Aus
Make no bones about it, Great Wall Motors (GWM) is out to secure a top-five manufacturer position in both New Zealand and Aussie markets. This goal, articulated by GWM’s ANZ leadership (Cameron Thomas – Country Manager New Zealand and John Kett – Chief Operating Officer ANZ, Steve Maciver Head Of Marketing & Communications ANZ) at […]