The original A Class Mercedes was a bit of an ugly duckling, and the second gen wasn’t much better. Then for the third generation, Mercedes re-invented the car, and suddenly it was a much more desirable proposition.Now there’s an all-new fourth generation car, designated W177, which has already made the shortlist for New Zealand...
When I tested the top-spec Mazda6 Limited last year, I really enjoyed it, but it did have a couple of minor issues. Now in the 2018 facelifted car there’s a new top top spec, the Takami. According to Google, it means “higher”. Mazda have refined the design, added features, and replaced the already peppy 2.5-litre engine with a new...
Last year, I tested the CX-5 Limited – finished in Soul Red, Mazda’s best colour by far. For 2018, Mazda have made some changes to all its CX-5 engines – the 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre petrol units, and the 2.2-litre diesel engine.We’ve always liked the CX-5 – it’s a great choice for anyone in the market for a mid-sized...
I was wrong, oh so very wrong. When I first heard Aston Martin was going to start putting AMG’s rather lovely but brash twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 into their cars I was worried. I thought the raucous character of the AMG engines wouldn’t suit the more elegant Aston vehicles, but I’m glad to have been proved wrong. While...
The S Class is the flagship luxury product from the German manufacturer, Mercedes-Benz. It has been the benchmark for excellence, technology development and safety for decades.I was lucky enough to spend a week behind the wheel to experience what it's like to live life with an S-Class Coupe.The RangeThe S-Class Coupe is...
The Forester has been with us for over 20 years, and is now in its fourth generation. Would this new facelifted 2019 model year Forester live up to the high standards that its sister cars have set recently? Subaru gave us one for a couple of weeks to find out.The RangeThere are three models in the Forester range, and they all...
For some reason, there's been a whole lot of interest around the I-PACE. Can Jaguar New Zealand do well with the I-PACE, with the range kicking off at $159,900?Launching in April 2019, the I-PACE is the first all-electric Jaguar. Jaguar NZ general manager Steve Kenchington says the I-PACE will offer motorists an exceptional driving...
A couple of weeks after first experiencing the CX-8 in Queenstown, Mazda SkyActiv Vehicle Dynamics – A day at the Snow Farm, I was able to spend a week behind the wheel to see what everyday life is like with the new CX-8.The RangeThe CX-8 is available in two drivetrains and trim levels; there is one FWD (Front Wheel Drive and...
2018 World Car of the Year; it has a certain ring to it. For Volvo, the ones that are ringing are probably sales. In all fairness, that’s a pretty amazing award to receive.Surely it has to mean that the car is something special? Something extraordinary. Something above all others. Not only did the XC60 win that World CoTY award,...
It's been a constant question in EV circles; as batteries grow in capacity, how do people charge them at home? Sure, you could simply plug in your high-capacity EV into your standard 230-volt socket, but it's going to take a whole lot of hours to charge that EV from near flat - 30-40 hours is a realistic number. So then, you are forced...
