A Hot Match: Suzuki Swift
Every time Suzuki announces a new Swift, people notice. But when Suzuki raises the curtain on a new Swift Sport, many sit up like meerkats keeping watch. There is a good reason for this kind of reaction, the Swift Sport is, and always has been, a cracker of a hot hatch. Now into it’s third […]
Automotive Nip and Tuck: Mazda CX5
You have got to admit, Mazda has a real knack for giving us great all-round cars in a variety of segments – the CX5 is no exception. Since the original was launched in 2012, the CX5 left so many of Mazda’s national clientele, and motoring scribes like yours truly for that matter, utterly smitten. This […]
A little beast: Mini Cooper S Hatch SE
John Cooper was born 17 July, 1923 so there was no better excuse to grab the new Mini Cooper S Hatch SE to see what it could do. When John Cooper and Sir Alec Issigonis sketched out the initial design on a table cloth in 1956, they really hit on what would become an iconic […]
Engineering genius: Honda NSX
The Honda NSX is not everyone’s first thought when it comes to a super sports car, but for those in the know, it’s up there amongst the very best. Launched at the 1989 Chicago Motor Show, the NSX (New Sports Cars eXperimental) was Japan’s first mid-engine production supercar aimed squarely at the likes of Ferrari […]
All Good Things: Honda’s new Civic Type R
All good things come to those who wait. Such is the case with Honda’s new Civic Type R. Though the Civic Type R’s history dates back over two decades, the new 2018 Type R is the first to be sold new in New Zealand. Needless to say, I couldn’t sleep the night before picking it […]
At the Automotive forefront: Leading Edge Automotive
Leading Edge Automotive needs no introduction. With years of experience, the latest in diagnostic equipment and hundreds of satisfied customers, it’s your quintessential European service and repair agent, based at 480 Selwyn Street in the heart of Christchurch. Whether you own a BMW, Volkswagen, Audi, Mercedes or Porsche, the latest diagnostic equipment and the expert […]
‘E’ for Exceptional
When Mercedes New Zealand offers you the chance to experience the new revamped E-Class Cabriolet, you don’t hesitate in saying yes – I certainly wasn’t going to! Sitting squarely between the smaller C-Class Cabriolet and new flagship S-Class Cabriolet, the E Cabriolet line-up consists of two models, the E300 and E400. The E300 tested here, […]
An Automotive Blueprint: Mercedes-Benz M-Class
It was in 1998 that Mercedes-Benz New Zealand first offered a new vehicle that helped to redefine the brand and significantly grow its appeal. The M-Class (now known as the GLE) marked the brand’s entry into the emerging SUV category and set a blueprint for a family of high-riding vehicles. The M-Class and the GLE, […]
Automotive Superpowers: 2018 Audi R8 V10 Plus
If you are prepared to work hard, be prepared to reap the rewards. Such is the case for local company director Marty, the proud owner of this stunning 2018 Audi R8 V10 Plus. “I had a good year in business and decided I wanted to buy a modern supercar,” Marty says. “I tried various models […]
Volvo XC40 VS Jaguar E Pace
Straight off the bat, the all new Volvo XC40 and Jaguar E Pace are exquisite cars. Both are their respective firm’s first foray into the uber competitive small luxury SUV market, and I was given the opportunity to put them both to the test. Volvo XC40 Following the flagship XC90 and mid -range XC60, […]