Very sweet turbo

When we think of big SUVs from Mercedes AMG, big V8-bellowing all terrain missiles spring to mind.   In curry terms, the range topping GLE 63 AMG is the full chicken vindaloo, hot and spicy. Whereas the $180,100 GLE 53 AMG is more of a chicken madras, in other words, a milder offering in terms […]

Premium all-rounder

The Mazda CX30 blew us away a few months back when we tested the mid-range GTX and flagship Limited. So, what about the base GSX? Is the bare essentials CX30 worth your time?   The GSX at $41,490, gets a very refined 2L four-cylinder Skyactiv engine with 114kW/200Nm. Mazda’s i-Activsense safety comes as standard which […]

Power delivery

It has been a long time coming, but finally Subaru has added a spot of hybrid drive to its line-up. Meet the XV e-Boxer Hybrid. But how does it stack up? The XV is already a great soft to medium off-road practical package, but now thanks to Subaru’s e-Boxer Hybrid setup, you can throw in […]

Sublime wagon, cool ride

Wagons will always be much cooler than SUVs. One manufacturer whose history is littered with wagons is Volvo. Here is their new V60 Estate T8 AWD R Design, and it is something mighty special.   The T8 part means a 2.0 four-cylinder petrol engine with supercharging and turbocharging, coupled to a plug-in 64kW battery pack, […]

Definitive one-stop-shop: Hammonds

We have all been there. A slight lapse of concentration by you or someone else and before you know it, your pride and joy is no longer factory fresh. Hammonds Collision Centre knows these things can happen, which is why it’s still Christchurch’s leading panel and paint repair shop.   Located at 46 Battersea Street, […]

Spirited drive a nice surprise: Honda

The Honda Civic RS Sport Sensing Sedan was one of the biggest surprises of last year. A strong turbo VTEC powertrain, oodles of kit, and great driving dynamics put it on par with the very best in the small sedan segment. Now for 2020, the Civic Hatch gets the RS Sport Sensing treatment, and here […]

Great things come in small packages

Since Chinese firm SAIC resurrected MG, the British namesake has been increasing its New Zealand presence in a big way and the most popular MG on Kiwi streets right now is the MG3 Supermini.   At a seriously low starting price of $17,990, the MG3 offers astonishing value. Under the bonnet sits a 1.5 litre […]

Chevrolet’s Latest Coup

When GM made the decision to pull out of all right-hand drive markets after the demise of the Holden brand, needless to say a few gearheads were less than overjoyed with the news. Therefore, there is a chance this facelift Chevrolet Camaro could be the last new GM product we get through HSV dealers in […]

A compelling package

When the all-new Mazda CX30 made its debut in New Zealand, it was launched online, thanks to COVID-19. However, after waiting patiently, we finally got a taster of Mazda’s new SUV. Mazda says the new CX30 slots perfectly between the CX3 and CX5 in its SUV line-up. However, with the CX3 and CX5 offering such […]

A Sweet Set Up

The C-HR has been a mighty strong seller since Toyota lifted the lid on the first-generation compact SUV way back in 2017. The C-HR wowed us willing engines, levels of equipment and that edgy love it or hate it styling. For 2020, the C-HR has been enhanced to cope with its mid life crisis, so […]