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 […]
MAXing Out Value – LDV T60 MAX Plus Review
Few segments radiate with Kiwi new car buyers like Utes. Something to tow the boat, something for work, or something tough to transport your nearest and dearest, both of the human and animal fraternity, you really are spoiled for choice. It’s even more so these days with relative newcomers LDV joining the fray. LDV’s back […]
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 […]
iDrive, Therefore I Am: looking back at more than 20 years of BMW innovating in car infotainment
You might have noticed in some of my BMW reviews that I often highlight the brand’s ability to seamlessly integrate technology into their cars. Whether it’s the stunning visual design, the innovative ways of interacting with the system, or the (mostly) unobtrusive nature of it all, it is undeniable that BMW has consistently been at […]
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 […]
Loving the 80s: Mazda CX-80 SP Hybrid Review
Mazda certainly seem to have all their bases covered these days for those in the market for a premium feeling SUV. The current CX range have been instrumental in this and what started with the CX-30 and grew to include the CX-60 and flagship CX-90, now includes the CX-80. The new CX-80 presents itself as […]
Digital Legend: Casio F-91W Review
The Rolex Submariner, Omega Speedmaster and Seamaster, Patek Philipe Nautilus, Cartier Tank and the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak are some of the most coveted watches in existence and undisputed trailblazing icons of horology. However, when it comes to mass-market appeal and creating incredible watches at a price just about everyone can afford, its hard to […]
Volvo Unveils Ambitious Plans for a New Generation of Cars
Volvo is gearing up for a major expansion of its lineup as it charts an ambitious course into the future of mobility. The Swedish automaker is set to introduce a wide range of new vehicles over the coming years, renewing a commitment we’ve heard first hand from them before: sustainability, advanced technology, and its longstanding […]