I put a 2JZ-GTE into a GR Yaris, but I’d still rather have the 3 cylinder
It is always a great day when you’re coming back from a loan car pick up driving back an all wheel drive, turbocharged, manual, rally-inspired hatchback. All the credentials are there to back up the pedigree of the Toyota GR Yaris and, albeit very short, this is my third encounter with this little rascal. So, […]
We drive VW’s latest 7 seater SUV, the Tayron
Volkswagen’s SUV lineup just got bigger, and a lot more strategic. The brand’s newest model, the Tayron, officially joins the family as a seven-seat option to bridge the gap between the Tiguan and the Touareg. The name might be new to some, but the mission is clear: to “bring room to live large” and that […]
We take the new Leapmotor B10 compact EV SUV for a quick drive
If you missed our full event recap and brand context piece from yesterday (read it here), it covers Leapmotor’s refreshed ambitions for New Zealand, the Stellantis connection, and how the brand is positioning itself as a credible new EV contender. This piece picks up from there — moving from podium to pavement. The B10 is […]
Leapmotor reiterates Kiwi commitment with local launch of the B10 compact electric SUV
Leapmotor’s latest chapter in Aotearoa unfolded today as the Chinese brand officially took the wraps off its all-new B10, a compact electric SUV built for the world stage, and now, for New Zealand roads as well. The event, hosted in partnership with Stellantis International and Armstrong’s Auto Distributors NZ, carried a clear message: Leapmotor has […]
I’m over the moon with Seiko’s most recent release
Watch brands find the most obtuse ways to make me part ways with my hard earned cash, and Seiko seems to have a fool proof map at this point. With their newest release, they have reached back into their space-age archives to bring us something truly special: an almost mirror reissue of their Rotocall series, a digital […]
Adventure Machine – Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Adventure Review
Few SUVs have a legacy as long and respected as the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, and while many rivals have grown sleeker and softer in pursuit of urban buyers, the new gen of the Prado unapologetically leans into its off-road roots. It’s boxy, rugged, and proud of it. And my second go at it helped […]
No clutch, no problem? – Toyota GR86 Auto Review
Few cars in today’s market make such an unapologetic case for driving fun as the Toyota GR86. The formula of the small, 2 door, rear wheel drive sports car is usually reserved for the second car, the toy that gets used on the weekends. But, by pairing it with an automatic gearbox, Toyota wants to […]
GR FOUR, now for more – Toyota GR Corolla Auto Review
The hot hatchback formula is one that is dear to many a car enthusiast’s heart, with many different ways to approach the pint sized fun recipe. The Toyota GR Corolla has always done that by wearing its rally DNA on its sleeve, and now the facelifted version doubles down on that personality while making the […]
Doing the rounds for the long run – MG ZS Hybrid+
MG has had a bit of a glow-up, with a big round of updates to their cars. And one of those new kids, the revised ZS Hybrid+ has been living with us for a good while now, and it’s given us plenty of time to look past the press-release shine and see what this SUV […]
Proper with a P… HEV – Lexus RX450h+ Review
Since its debut in the late 1990s, the RX has been a cornerstone of Lexus’ global success. It gave the brand a solid foothold in the luxury SUV segment and became an ambassador for hybrid tech at a time when competitors were still wary of electrification. Over time, this line has grown on that same […]