When lockdown is a good thing – 2021 Audi RSQ8 review NZ
In so many ways, Lockdown has become the swear word of 2020. It’s cut us off from travelling overseas and stopped us socialising with extended family and friends, it’s had us staring at four walls (and climbing them too) and essentially forced many of us to hibernate. But my time, (or make that two times […]
Look a Wrangler UTE – 2020 Jeep Gladiator Review
There are several ways to describe the new addition to the Jeep family, huge Jeep, goliath off-roader, even Wrangler UTE, but all you need to know is that Jeep is calling it the most capable 4×4 in its class and to be fair, there’s probably not a mountain out there it can’t conquer – but […]
BIG – 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS 400d review
When asked ‘what is my all-time favourite movie’ one that nearly always springs to mind is Big. I won’t spoil it for those that haven’t seen it (do you live under a rock) but Tom Hanks assumes the body of an adult yet retains the mind and playfulness of a child, it’s funny and moving. […]
Mazda’s Milestone Moment – Skyactiv-X
To be fair, Japanese carmaker Mazda has had many milestone moments over their 100-year history (a centenary being one of them) but their latest engine revelation is being deemed an event tantamount to ‘finding Narnia’. We headed to Mazda New Zealand to find out more about Skyactiv-X and SPCCI. From surviving and rebuilding after the […]
Deuce Coupe – BMW M235i Gran Coupe review
Ok, so when the American surfer band the Beach Boys sang about a Deuce Coupe they were referring to a different car brand that was in actual fact a hot rod, but when BMW New Zealand threw me the keys to their first-ever 2-Series Gran Coupe all dressed in bright Misano blue, the Beach, the […]
Mini EV-olution – 2020 Mini Cooper S EV review
With a history that dates back over six decades and a list of accolades and awards that far exceed the vehicle’s height (even the latest versions), there’s not much that the incredibly popular, iconic Mini hasn’t seen. It’s won rally’s, broken records and even been the main cast member in one of (if not the) […]
Top Twins – BMW X5M and X6M Competition review NZ
It’s fair to say that the Topp Twins are arguably New Zealand’s most beloved set of twins. Their style of humour is unique and their playfulness is addictive but although their family resemblance is obvious, they are not identical. BMW has its own set of playful ‘twins’, the X5M and X6M and now, with generation […]
Big Baby – 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA review NZ
They say (whoever ‘they’ are) that ‘good things come in little packages’ and that may very well be true for a multitude of things, however, when it came to the generation 2 Mercedes-Benz GLA, ‘good’ was not the benchmark that was expected. Never fear, with gen 3 the luxury German carmaker has ironed out the […]
Vera revamped – Land Rover Defender 110 SE review NZ
Based in Newcastle (North East England), Vera is a gritty UK crime drama that has Vera Stanhope, a cynical middle-aged female detective dressed in a shabby overcoat, methodically solving murders and frustrating fellow officers (think Columbo in female form). It’s an exceptionally well-written series with an added bonus that Vera drives a rather battered 1996 […]
Men in tights – Ford Transit Custom Sport review NZ
Maybe it’s because we’re living in a more enlightened, less judgemental (hmmm) age but going into the Windsor Park superette and asking for a pair of tights was far less of a drama than I thought it would be. Admittedly, owner Jay is a friend of mine but even so, he happily went on with […]