Mercedes-Benz has broken with tradition by dropping the ‘Benz’ name from the go-fast coupe it calls the Mercedes-AMG GT. The new model and its twin-turbocharged V8 engine is a product of Mercedes-Benz and its wholly owned performance house AMG. The German carmaker dropped the ‘Benz’ handle because it wanted to give the new model its own identity, just as it did with the SLS … [Read more...] about Mercedes-AMG GT: First NZ-bound car has already been sold
New Discovery Sport joins Land Rover family in NZ next year
This is the new Land Rover Discovery Sport, the first model in the second phase of the British specialist’s three-tier product family: ‘luxury’ (Range Rover), ‘leisure’ (Discovery), and ‘dual purpose’ (Defender). The ‘luxury’ line-up is complete for now with the new Vogue and Sport, both on sale in New Zealand. The Disco Sport pictured here will launch in NZ next May with … [Read more...] about New Discovery Sport joins Land Rover family in NZ next year
VW updates Polo line-up in bid to lure more private buyers
Volkswagen wants to “own” the private market in which its small Polo hatchback (above) competes against the likes of the Toyota Yaris, Honda Jazz, Suzuki Swift, Ford Fiesta … the list goes on. “We need to get on the shopping lists of more people,” says VW New Zealand general manager Tom Ruddenklau, introducing the new-look Polo range at a new-look price. Engines are new, … [Read more...] about VW updates Polo line-up in bid to lure more private buyers
Jaguar sticks to design tradition with its new XE sedan
The Jaguar XE sedan is pretty much what the motoring world expected – a sleek, sporty, yet conservative design very much typical of the brand’s lineage. Chief designer Ian Callum wasn’t going to reinvent the Jaguar wheel. “We decided to stick with the Jaguar design philosophy,” he said. “People have started to get used to Jaguar and what they look like. The XE is a sports … [Read more...] about Jaguar sticks to design tradition with its new XE sedan
Ford Ranger v Toyota Hilux sales race: It’s getting down and dirty
The Ford Ranger (above) might this year manage what no other vehicle has done in New Zealand for more than 30 years – knock the Toyota Hilux off its lofty perch as the most popular light commercial. Going into the last four sales months of the year, Motor Industry Association (MIA) registrations show Ranger has sold 3842 variants against 3739 for Hilux, a lead by Ford at the … [Read more...] about Ford Ranger v Toyota Hilux sales race: It’s getting down and dirty