R United – 2022 Volkswagen Golf R Review
The Volkswagen Golf R. With the exception of the GTi, for many, this is the ultimate Golf. Eight generations later, the R is still with us and in my view, can easily match, and in some cases surpass, the GTi in terms of performance and cult following. So, when Volkswagen New Zealand allowed me to […]
Duplex Lex – 2022 Lexus NX350h FWD/AWD Limited Review
The previous generation Lexus NX was certainly a half-decent car. However, despite having a number of good points, in some ways it didn’t really feel truly like a Lexus should. Let’s fast forward to what you see here, the new second generation Lexus NX and straight away I am happy to say there is much […]
New MG ZS EV – Launch and First Drive
As a brand, car maker MG has seen a lot of changes over its ninety plus years, but its latest focus has it very charged up. We were invited to the Hyatt Auckland NZ to hear all about where the brand is headed and to drive their greatly improved, new MG ZS EV. Firstly the […]
The van that can – 2023 Peugeot Partner review NZ
Howdy Partners. Many years ago, part of my driving career began behind the wheel of a compact panel van. The brand is irrelevant right now, but its space, practicality and the opportunity to move both people and ‘things’ made me rather popular back in the day – So imagine my excitement when Peugeot NZ asked […]
Summit’ extra special from Jeep – 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L review
When Jeep NZ announced a while back that there was a new, bigger, more luxurious Grand Cherokee on its way we were more than intrigued. Well now it’s arrived and we got to check out the Summit model. Paraphrasing, Jim Morrison, Vice President and Head of Jeep brand North America said “the all-new Jeep Grand […]
The Ferrari 296 GTB Launches in the South Island
South Island Ferrari customers and fans have been given a unique look at the new Ferrari 296 GTB at a special launch event in Christchurch. Hosted at the headquarters of renowned Canterbury based automotive detailing business, Avid Group, the chance to finally see up close Ferrari’s first V6 powered production car since the 1974 Dino […]
Next-Gen Ford Everest – Launch and first drive
“We really wanted to set out at the very beginning of the programme to make the vehicle really communicate its capability, perhaps a little more than the current one,” Max Wolff – Design Director told us as we sipped refreshments at Sirromet Winery in Mount Cotton, Queensland. Admittedly, our road trip from the heart of […]
Electric Essence – 2022 MG HS PHEV Review
The MG HS has now joined the plug-in electric fraternity. The mid-sized HS has already proved immensely popular with consumers, now the addition of a plug-in variant is shaping up to becoming another very strong seller in New Zealand. Therefore, thanks to MG Motor New Zealand through CMG Motors in Christchurch, I decided to see […]
Luxury Leviathan – 2022 Lexus LX500d F Sport Review
Dignified Sophistication. This is how Lexus refers to the latest incarnation of its largest SUV, the LX. Now into its fourth generation, the LX is very much a different beast to the ones before it. Petrol variants are now a thing of the past and the old V8 has also been laid out to pasture. […]
Urban Chique – 2022 Renault Arkana Intens Review
Whatever you may think of SUVs styled to resemble coupes, you can’t deny that of all the avenues the SUV as we know it has ventured into, this is probably the most popular to date. Say hello to Renault’s offering, the Arkana, and on the face of it, Renault’s foray into this niche seems to […]