Ferrari’s 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8 engine, a 495kW/750Nm powerplant used in the 488 models, has won the International Engine of the Year award for the second year in a row. The 2017 panel of judges clearly favoured it over Porsche’s 3.0-litre flat-six from the 911 range, as well as BMW’s petrol-electric drivetrain in the i8, and the 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder in the … [Read more...] about Ferrari V8 wins world engine award for second year in a row
VW ‘Kombi’ on the road again – this time with battery power
Volkswagen has been talking for years about building a modern version of its Kombi van and now the dithering is over – the ID Buzz concept is headed to production. VW brand chief Herbert Diess has confirmed as much, telling Britain’s AutoExpress magazine that it will build a Kombi-style vehicle as part of its ‘ID’ range of electric vehicles. It will contain design cues from … [Read more...] about VW ‘Kombi’ on the road again – this time with battery power
Cop this lot – V6 Kia Stinger dressed for NZ police duty
The photo above is a computer rendition of what the upcoming Kia Stinger sedan could look like wearing New Zealand police livery. Why the dress rehearsal? Because the South Korean carmaker has confirmed the rear-drive Stinger is being evaluated by police in Australia as a future highway patrol car and general duties vehicle. A decision is expected later this … [Read more...] about Cop this lot – V6 Kia Stinger dressed for NZ police duty
Toyota Land Cruiser’s record run around Oz in ‘Highway 1 to Hell’
The fellows at Australian website CarAdvice set out their task weeks ago: drive around Australia in the quickest possible time. They dubbed the journey the ‘Highway 1 to Hell.’ Four of them left Brisbane on Monday, June 15, zeroing the speedometer in the Toyota LandCruiser Sahara they bought new for the journey. Five days, 13 hours and 43 minutes later they arrived back … [Read more...] about Toyota Land Cruiser’s record run around Oz in ‘Highway 1 to Hell’
New VW Polo rivals earlier Golf models for size and interior space
Kiwis who worship at the altar of Volkswagen will find that its sixth-generation Polo hatchback is one of the biggest small cars available, bigger in every dimension but length than earlier Golf models. The Polo will land in New Zealand around April-May next year. No indication yet of model line-up and prices, although the premium GTi (above) will get a turbocharged … [Read more...] about New VW Polo rivals earlier Golf models for size and interior space