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 […]
Capturing the thrills of the track with BMW Motorrad
There’s something special about a track day. The purposeful look of the paddocks, the echoing of the engines as the vehicles fly past, and the energy of riders pushing their limits in a controlled environment — it’s always the perfect setting for both adrenaline junkies and those looking to sharpen their skills. I first got […]
Fiordland’s Finest: Four Days on the Milford Track
New Zealand is renowned for many things, but its natural beauty is definitely a podium finish. After moving here, it didn’t take long for my wife and me to start tackling the famed Great Walks, 11 trails managed by the Department of Conservation, each showcasing some of the most picturesque landscapes this country has to […]
Cupra Re-Born – Revisiting Cupra’s Efficient EV
For a brand that has been around for this long, I find it interesting how often I have to explain to people what Cupra is. Established as its own thing in 2018, the newest arm of the VAG group branched off from SEAT to focus on sporty offerings, honoring the Cup Racing origins of its […]
Watt a Ride! BMW’s Take on Electric Mobility, pt II
You join me after a rather electrifying week to close off the BMW Electric Mobility story! It’s been a busy week with many driven and ridden kms, so kick back and get comfortable, because this is a long one! My daily journey is a 25km round trip that starts in suburbia and goes right to the […]
The next-gen CarPlay was supposed to land in 2024. Are we better off without it?
Remember when Apple first teased its new, souped-up version of CarPlay back in 2022? It promised to take over your car’s screens in “the Apple way” — sleek, seamless, and oh so shiny. The idea was simple: CarPlay would expand beyond infotainment, giving you control over core car functions like climate settings and even displaying […]
Take the Leap of Faith – Leapmotor C10 Review
We are going through a very interesting period for the auto industry. Some brands are trying to reinvent themselves, others trying to remain viable and, at the same time, this EV revolution is allowing for new players to enter the field seemingly out of nowhere, with great first albums. And while Leapmotor are not exactly […]
More of everything but petrol – MG ZS Hybrid+ Review
Look who it is, if it isn’t Mr. MG coming for another review of the newest addition to their lineup! This time, we have the all-new ZS, which brings another round of MG’s learnings to a small SUV that has experienced quite a bit of success on our roads, judging by how many of them […]
Rush hour champion – BMW M135 Review
The hot hatch segment is one with a rabid legion of fans cultivated back in its golden era, and one that seems to have been relegated to more premium offerings as of late. Those that subscribe to the idea of driving something with a smaller footprint that an SUV while not letting go of driving […]