Car sales stabilise
After months of decline, the latest figures from the Motor Industry Association (MIA) are giving hope to the car market. The MIA found 9340 vehicles were registered in July, and the market may begin to level out over the coming months. While this number is below the year-to-date monthly average of 10,315, it […]
Torque Talk: Road marking nightmares
Imagine you are driving home at night. It’s wet, cold and the street lights are providing agreeable levels of illumination as you navigate traffic on your way to a rendezvous with a warm fire or glass of port at the end of a long day. Ben Selby reports. This undertaking would be safer […]
Steering to satisfaction
Consumer NZ’s survey of New Zealand’s best and worst cars revealed our favourite brands, and those we don’t love so much. Earlier this year, results were released from the over 8000 Kiwis surveyed and 72 models reported on. Brands such as Honda, BYD, and Tesla have won the hearts of New Zealanders, winning […]
Used vehicle imports up
The removal of the Clean Car legislation at the end of 2023 is one probable cause for increased imports of used vehicles. Registrations of these jumped 25% year-on-year in January 2024 to 8915 units from 7135 in the previous corresponding period. Toyota led the used import market with 3316 registrations, followed by Mazda […]
Dancing with the waves
Celebrating its 75th anniversary, Abarth introduced its new “Offshore” model at the prestigious Top Marques Monaco 2024 event in June. Presented by Car Off Shore, this zippy wee car/boat (pictured in action) captures Abarth’s signature traits with a striking metallic-green body and powerful performance boasting 230Hp and Riva racing exhausts. Based on the […]
An epic emission-free vehicle
Metropol motoring writer Ben Selby puts the new Lotus Eletre S through its paces. Who would have thought an all-electric SUV would be wearing a Lotus badge? The Hethel-based brand, known mostly for its lightweight, fun sports cars, has well and truly started its transition to a zero emission future, while incorporating the […]
Top Marques with Niki Mills: The Mercedes Benz G Class, when luxury meets off-road
The Mercedes Benz G Class, also known colloquially as the G-Wagen, has always been one of Mercedes Benz’s most iconic models. With its signature tough and simplistic boxy look, it has grown in popularity in the Luxury 4WD segment as the current ‘must have’ SUV for sports stars, celebrities, and those that appreciate […]
Embrace safer speed limits
The Australasian College of Road Safety (ARCS) is advocating for an agreed and evidence-based approach to setting speed limits, as New Zealand moves to revise its speed management policies. New Zealand’s road fatality rates remain alarmingly high, ranking 29th out of 35 OECD countries in 2022. Despite common perceptions, many fatalities result from […]
Luxurious top performers
The Land Rover Defender is a name synonymous with off-road capability, exploration and adventure. Metropol managing director Murray Dempsey, who already drives a Defender, took the opportunity to check out the latest models. The latest interpretation of the Land Rover Defender is as sophisticated in its technology as it is comfortable on the […]
Torque Talk: Keeping in touch
In-car entertainment has come a long way since the days of 8-track stereos, and the classic 1980s head unit with “graphic equaliser” which could either improve or drastically lower the tone of your favourite track. By Ben Selby. Now, it’s becoming more common to a have a new car with a touchscreen infotainment […]
