Checking ID – VW ID.4 and ID.5 first drive NZ
According to Chanelle McDonald, General Manager Volkswagen Passenger Vehicles New Zealand, their new ID range (commencing with the ID.4 and ID.5) is ‘pivotal for the success of the brand’, and it’s a statement that underlines VW’s move to being a sustainable, emissions-free organisation. The New Zealand launch of the ID.4 and ID.5 was somewhat of […]
The Elbil Twins – Volvo XC40 Recharge Twin review
Dammit. I was going to start this review with the statement that the XC40 is Volvo’s first EV, but it would appear that the Swedish brand actually had an EV (the Elbil – electric car in Swedish) as far back as 1976. Anyway, the XC40 Recharge is basically Volvo’s first introduction to their new EV […]
My last drive in the Mini Clubman?
Hailing from England means that there are certain car brands that I have an immediate affinity with, and Mini would have to be up there with one of the ones I have the most with. My Mini story is filled with the joys of youth, freedom and endless sunny summers – sigh. But enough about […]
Mazda CX-60 and CX-90 first drive NZ
It’s been a while since premium car brand Mazda has launched a new nameplate, so the invite to an event to test out not one but two new SUVs (one being a new PHEV) ‘was an offer we couldn’t refuse’ (Godfather quote). Seeming to underline their Jinba Ittai philosophy (the unity of horse/car and rider/driver), […]
Italian Stallions – Maserati Grecale Modena and Trofeo review
(Not so) hot on the heels of the Levante which was launched in 2016, comes the all new Maserati Grecale. It’s slightly smaller than the Levante, but it too has been named after a Mediterranean wind (a tradition that dates back to the ‘60s), oozes Italian flair and a huff and puff that’ll blow your […]
All-new Mahindra Scorpio – first drive (in India)
Six or seven seater SUVs have been gracing NZ roads for quite a while now, with their elevated ride height and all-wheel drive features (for some) giving the customer the impression that they are able to go anywhere, and in fairness, many are far more capable than the ‘school run’ duties they are used for. […]
MG4 EV first drive – in Sydney
Heralded as a ‘game changer’ the all-new and all-electric MG4 has just touched down in New Zealand, however, just prior to its release we hopped (pun intended) over the ditch to the home of the NRL South Sydney Rabbitohs to find out all about it. The MG4 is an EV Hatch that’s not only sleek […]
Be careful what you wish for – The all-electric FIAT 500e review
‘You can’t always get what you want’ is how the song goes, but it would appear that you can if you want a charismatic compact Italian hatch that’s quick off the mark and doesn’t come with any challenging transmission issues – introducing the FIAT 500e, an all-electric Bambina Although the ‘500’ nameplate dates back to […]
Astra(eco)nomical – Opel Astra SRi review
After having a bit of an OE break, the ever-popular Astra hatch is now back in NZ, only this time it comes with an Opel ‘blitz’ badge and a cabinet full of awards. It’s bold, it’s pure and Opel says that it’s autobahn-ready too – so best we found out what all the fuss is […]
Less is so much more – Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC review
Call me old-fashioned, but it wasn’t that long ago that a 2L engine produced 70 kW of power and 148 Nm of torque, well not only does the latest 2L C43 Mercedes-AMG boast over four times that power, but with 310 kW and 500 Nm, the output rivals its very own twin-turbo V6 – oh […]