Shy yet Monolithic – BMW iX xDrive 40 review
While picking up the iX3 from BMW’s lair in the UK last year, I stumbled upon their new iX (alright it was parked in the car park) and was hooked. They are calling it their new ‘technology flagship’ and a ‘pioneer of a new era’ which is all well and good, but whatever the marketers […]
Cop a load of this – Skoda Octavia RS iV PHEV review
Over the past couple of decades, Czech car brand Skoda has gone from being a relatively rare sight on NZ roads to something we see daily (although fingers crossed not the NZ Police vehicles). They are desirable in style, clever in tech and helpfulness and when it comes to performance, the Skoda RS badge ranks […]
Big, refined and upgraded – 2022 RAM 1500 Limited review
Over recent years, despite being ‘rather substantial’ when it comes to NZ’s narrow roads, RAM (the truck that ‘eats utes for breakfast’) trucks have actually become quite a regular sight on our highways and byways. They are obviously easy to spot due to their size and chrome grilles, and that they are probably towing something […]
Electric Lite: Mazda MX-30 Mild Hybrid Review
Everyone seemed to ask the same thing, “Isn’t this electric?’ My response was “yes, but not this one.” Mazda’s MX-30 has been getting much praise as the Hiroshima based company’s newest foray into BEV mass production. However, the version you see here is the entry level MX-30 Mild Hybrid. So, what exactly is this version […]
Shh-koda – Skoda Superb iV review
The ŠKODA Superb iV plug-in hybrid (PHEV) is the Czech-born brand’s first step into the electrified car melee and what a way to start. Not only is it luxurious and cavernous on the inside, but it’s ultra quiet and very clever (just ask Laura). Plus with around 60km of EV only range, it’ll now get […]
Staria-Trek: Hyundai Staria 8-Seater Review
Prior to last year, the first van one would think of with a Hyundai emblem was the proven iLoad and its sister, the iMax. Now, there is a new ship in the sector in the form of the new Staria. Like its predecessors, the Staria is available as a work focused Load or people focused […]
Hitting the trail – Silverado LT Trail Boss review
Howdy pardners. Like many guys of my age, we spent much of our youth playing cowboys and indians. Pulling cap guns from our hips ‘to be quickest on the draw’ and had dreams of saving the girl and riding off into the sunset… (insert record scratch here). Well times have changed and Western movies seem […]
6th Generation Mercedes-Benz C200/300 launch drive
As we neared the end of 2021, I found myself behind the wheel of the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class in my home town of Swindon, England. Now although I often refer to the Wiltshire town as ‘the New York of the South’, I have to say that the unkempt roads and 30mph speed limits did very […]
Shhhh – We drive NZ’s First all-electric ute
Getting up when it’s still dark to drive from Auckland to Taupo is hardly my idea of fun, especially when it was in order to drive some vans (even if they were very good Electric ones). However, shut my mouth, as LDV vehicle importer Great Lakes Motor Distributors had something extra special up their sleeve […]
Age defying septuagenarian – 2022 Toyota 300 VX review
In 1951, the first direct-dial coast to coast telephone call was made, the first commercial computer, UNIVAC, was put into use in the U.S. Census Bureau, popular television show “I Love Lucy” premiered on CBS and the First Colour Television Pictures broadcast from Empire State Building. Meanwhile, over in Japan, a mobility vehicle for Japan’s […]