Geely Riddara RD6 full review NZ – Ute, electrified
The Geely Riddara RD6 is a ute that’s breaking new ground by combining traditional workhorse credentials with zero-emission performance. Now, having spent more quality time behind the wheel, we can confirm this Chinese manufacturer has delivered something genuinely compelling, albeit with a few caveats worth considering. Exterior Design – Bold and Purposeful The Riddara RD6 […]
Omoda 9 SHS Review – The Frugal yet Fancy, Family SUV
The Omoda 9 arrives with audacious design cues borrowed from ultra-premium marques, a bewilderingly powerful hybrid powertrain, and equipment levels that embarrass established rivals. But does this ambitious newcomer have the substance to match its style, or is it all show and no go? We decided to take it for a football weekend in Taupo. […]
Tarmac Life Xmas Special – Mini 66th. 66 Hours, 6 Cities, 6 British Meals Across NZ
With Xmas looming and Season 1 of our TV Show wrapped up, we decided to do an Xmas special, taking to the road to celebrate Mini’s 66th anniversary. Instead of a simple cake and candles affair, we orchestrated an epic road trip challenge that would take the 3 of us (Dave, Matt and Harry), and […]
Jaecoo J7 SHS Super Hybrid Review – Efficient Adventurer
Chinese manufacturers are making bold moves into territories traditionally dominated by Japanese and European brands, in this case, the Jaecoo J7 SHS Super Hybrid, a name that itself tells a story. Jaecoo, a portmanteau of “Jaeger (hunter)” and “Cool,” is Cherry’s adventure-focused sub-brand, and their J7 represents an intriguing proposition in the increasingly crowded hybrid […]
Practical Powerhouse – 2025 BMW M5 Touring Review
Reflecting on all new BMW models which arrived in our country this year—and that I had the chance to experience locally in 2025—I can confidently say it has been quite an enjoyable year. However, has the best been saved for last in the form of the eagerly awaited and much hyped wagon variant of the […]
The BMW iX3 Neue Klasse Sets a New Benchmark for Performance EVs
The sun-drenched coastline of Spain provided the perfect backdrop for what BMW is calling “the beginning of a new era”, the unveiling and first drives of their highly anticipated iX3 Neue Klasse electric vehicle. Against ocean waves and dramatic sunsets, and with the opening introduction by Dr. Mike Reichelt (Head of Neue Klasse), the German […]
A-Game: 2025 Audi A6 Avant e-tron S-Line quattro Review
With a reputation to protect when it comes to wagons, is Audi’s first ever electric Avant a winner?
Land Rover Defender MY26 review – Subtle Refinement Meets Unstoppable Capability
Five years into its modern incarnation, the Land Rover Defender (or just Defender) has become something of an automotive phenomenon in New Zealand, sales are up 53% year-to-date, which tells you everything you need to know about how Kiwis have embraced this reborn icon. So when Land Rover invited us to the Tahorakuri Forest (Taupo) […]
Ford Ranger Super Duty First Drive Review
Built Ford Tough Gets Even Tougher When Ford slaps a “Super Duty” badge on anything, you know they mean business and it’s a promise that’s been forged over decades. The Super Duty lineage traces back to 1958 with heavy-duty engines, but the iconic truck line we know today launched in 1998 as a distinct series […]
Xtra Value X3? – BMW X3 20 xDrive M Sport Review
The BMW X3 has demonstrated significant advancements within the mid-sized premium SUV segment over recent years. It has evolved into one of the segment’s most well-rounded options, excelling in drivability, technological integration, and ergonomic design. Having experienced the fourth generation X3 30e xDrive PHEV variant just recently, and having come rather impressed all around, it […]