Majestic Monster – Mazda CX-90 review
Evidently Mazda are making the most of the new large modular platform, not only has the premium car brand launched their all-new CX-60 on it, but they’ve also added another brand-new nameplate to it, the 7-seater CX-90. It’s a majestic monster and we got to test it out. First of all, let’s talk specifications. There […]
High-grade Hybrid – Mazda CX-60 review
Having attended the local launch of the first-ever Mazda CX-60 recently, needless to say I was as keen as mustard to spend more time with their new 5-seater nameplate. Not only were Mazda happy to oblige but they gave me both powertrain options too, the peach sounding inline-6 MHEV and the more frugal PHEV – […]
Vital Vit Hit – Mini Cooper S Convertible review
It’s safe to say that given any glimpse of the orange thing in the sky, us Brits will look to bask in its smile-inducing warmth. However, it’s not just an excuse to turn our pasty white skin red, the sun provides access to Vitamin D, a vit that reduces getting illnesses or infections more often, […]
Reet Grand – 2023 Opel Grandland SRi review
New Zealand’s lowest-emissions car brand (with ICE and EV’s) Opel, have added another vehicle to their expanding line-up. It’s called the Grandland SRi and it’s an SUV that claims to be ‘for those that want everything’ – we wanted to spend a week with it and Opel NZ gladly obliged. The Grandland nameplate was first […]
Trucking Stylish – New VW Amarok Style review
By now you would be fully aware (I hope) that there’s an all-new VW Amarok in New Zealand, what’s more, there are three models to choose from, talk about being spoilt. Anyway, to help us figure out which Amarok would suit us best, VW New Zealand has given us almost the whole set to work, […]
My last drive in the Mini Clubman?
Hailing from England means that there are certain car brands that I have an immediate affinity with, and Mini would have to be up there with one of the ones I have the most with. My Mini story is filled with the joys of youth, freedom and endless sunny summers – sigh. But enough about […]
Mazda CX-60 and CX-90 first drive NZ
It’s been a while since premium car brand Mazda has launched a new nameplate, so the invite to an event to test out not one but two new SUVs (one being a new PHEV) ‘was an offer we couldn’t refuse’ (Godfather quote). Seeming to underline their Jinba Ittai philosophy (the unity of horse/car and rider/driver), […]
Italian Stallions – Maserati Grecale Modena and Trofeo review
(Not so) hot on the heels of the Levante which was launched in 2016, comes the all new Maserati Grecale. It’s slightly smaller than the Levante, but it too has been named after a Mediterranean wind (a tradition that dates back to the ‘60s), oozes Italian flair and a huff and puff that’ll blow your […]
All-new Mahindra Scorpio – first drive (in India)
Six or seven seater SUVs have been gracing NZ roads for quite a while now, with their elevated ride height and all-wheel drive features (for some) giving the customer the impression that they are able to go anywhere, and in fairness, many are far more capable than the ‘school run’ duties they are used for. […]
Be careful what you wish for – The all-electric FIAT 500e review
‘You can’t always get what you want’ is how the song goes, but it would appear that you can if you want a charismatic compact Italian hatch that’s quick off the mark and doesn’t come with any challenging transmission issues – introducing the FIAT 500e, an all-electric Bambina Although the ‘500’ nameplate dates back to […]