Packing power and pounds: BMW M5 G90
A ‘point and shoot’ car of the highest order, the new BMW M5 G90 is a driver-focused dream of savage acceleration, writes Metropol’s Ben Selby. Each generation has seen its fair share of changes, with different power trains and even more technology thrown into the mix. This leads us to the latest M5 G90, an […]
Luxe-ify your car
Dial up your vehicle’s luxury level with ease. Clean and condition surfaces: Shine and wealth exude opulence and attraction. Arm yourself with a vacuum cleaner, microfibre cloth, the appropriate cleaning and conditioning agents, and get to work. Wipe, polish and shine for an immediate luxury overhaul. Elevate the accents: Consider your car’s soft furnishings – […]
Gripping gusto: Lotus Emira Turbo First Edition
As Lotus ventures ever closer to being an EV-only luxury car maker, the Emira seems to be the UK-based brand’s last with an internal combustion heart. Metropol writer Ben Selby shares more. I became rather besotted with the Emira V6 manual when I tested it for Metropol last year, so I was dead keen to […]
Popping the bonnet
The eight most common car maintenance fails (so you can avoid them). Most of us just want our cars to keep going and not cost us any money. To make that more likely, regular maintenance is key, yet so often neglected. Here are the eight most common car maintenance fails: Skipping routine oil changes: Regular […]
Top dog in rough & tumble
When Ford celebrated its Ranger’s decade as the biggest selling utility vehicle in New Zealand, Metropol motoring writer Ben Selby joined in the fun, off-roading at Kauri Bay Boomrock. One of the most congested and competitive car markets in New Zealand, the ute segment has been dominated by the Ford Ranger for a decade now, […]
Top Marques with Niki Mills: Ferrari Portofino
A sporty daily drive that fits four. When it comes to Ferrari, few models can do as much as the Portofino. Yes, it can fit two youngsters in the rear seats behind the front passengers. Yes, it has an electric hard-top roof that can be electronically lowered or raised at the push of a button to […]
Airport’s new electric fire truck
Christchurch Airport has New Zealand’s first electric fire truck. The vehicle (pictured) is part of the airport’s broader fleet transition programme to have a zero-emission fleet by 2035. Airport chief executive Justin Watson says the addition of the Rosenbauer RT ensures the airport’s emergency response teams have cutting-edge equipment to keep the airport community safe. […]
Noble, tough and hybrid
Mazda’s SUV family has been undergoing something of a renaissance in recent years and the current CX-60 is further proof of that, writes Ben Selby. Now, Mazda have added a new entry point to the CX-60 range. Called the SP Hybrid, it sits at $69,990 and sports plenty of niceties inside and out. Starting with […]
Classic car extravaganza
All roads lead to Queenstown this March for the inaugural Ayrburn Classic Festival of Motoring. Showcasing classic and modern luxury cars, the event runs from 21-23 March at Queenstown’s newest wine and food playground, Ayrburn. From pioneering vintage to high-performance supercars, Ayrburn Classic brings together the best of the international luxury marques with some of […]
An ideal daily driver
The BMW X5 has been on Kiwi roads for almost a quarter of a century. BY BEN SELBY. Since its 2002 launch, more than 6000 X5s have found themselves in homes across New Zealand, making it one of the most popular of all Beamers, topping the sales statistics 17 times. Currently in its fourth generation, […]