The latest GT7 update sent me shopping for Japan tickets, again
Gran Turismo has been one of the most successful driving simulators of all time, with an exciting journey almost as old at video gaming, through the hands of Polyphony Digital. And, for their latest installment, GT7, Polyphony has been fairly consistent at providing free of charge downloadable content, even years after the release of the […]
It’s a Middle Child Thing – Mini Aceman SE Review
There’s something special about the middle child. Maybe it’s the quiet confidence, maybe it’s the misunderstood charm, or maybe it’s the way they thrive when nobody’s watching. That’s the vibe I got from the new Mini Aceman SE. And it was great to be able to test it back-to-back against the Countryman SE I had […]
Yellow S, Same Sass – Mini Countryman SE Review
In the early days of this stint we are having at car electrification, some EVs made do with petrol specific platforms, just with batteries and a motor replacing what was there before. Fast forward a bit and we now have dedicated EV platforms, and also some new designs that can properly deal with both petrol […]
Schooled in Efficiency – Kia Carnival Hybrid Review
There is this running joke within my group of car friends because “I just like everything”. And yeah, that’s mostly true – be it an ICE manual sports car or an EV SUV, I just like when a product is well suited to its intended purpose. So it should come with the territory that even […]
Seal(ion) of Approval – BYD Sealion 7 Review
What do you get when a brand crosses a tech-forward crossover SUV with a proper sense of maturity? It seems BYD was faced with this exact question when coming up with the newest model from theirs to reach our shores, the Sealion 7. I’ve been through a bit of a streak with their cars recently, and […]
Audi S5 Launch in New Zealand: A New Chapter in Performance and Luxury
New Zealand continues to punch above its weight in the global automotive market, and Audi’s latest offering, the all-new Audi S5, is set to further solidify the brand’s dominance. As the number one market per capita for Audi Sport models, Kiwis have a clear passion for performance vehicles. Now, with the introduction of the new […]
LEGO takes Pole Position with these new F1 sets
If there’s one thing that gets most car fans’ inner child revving, it’s LEGO. There’s just something magical about opening a fresh set, sorting the pieces, and clicking them together until a pile of bricks transforms into a miniature masterpiece. And now, F1 aficionados have a new quest in front of them: LEGO introduced a […]
A White (Challenger) Knuckle Ride – This Vanishing Point Tribute car could be yours!
The Repco Beach Hop 25 is set to take over Whangamata from March 26th to the 30th, bringing with it a celebration of classic cars, rock and roll and vintage culture. There is stuff for everyone there, but if you are a car guy or gal and haven’t been to one, you need to fix […]
Delivering more than just stuff – LDV Deliver 7 Review
Be it intentionally or not, it seems I have become TarmacLife’s official van reviewer. While Matt’s out there with the new Golf R and Dave is enjoying the Mazda CX-80, I’m spending my week behind the wheel of the LDV Deliver 7. It’s honest work that someone’s gotta do, right? This time, that means a […]
Taking a Swing – LDV T60 MAX Plus review
Growing up in my home country, I always associated pickup trucks with the countryside and hard work. Back there, they are workhorses, built for practicality rather than comfort. But in New Zealand, the lines are far more blurred. Here, utes (I even had to learn to call them that) are a staple of the Kiwi […]