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Alastair Sloane

China’s LDV enters ute market with double-cab for $29,990

March 16, 2017 by Alastair Sloane

The Chinese company that has quickly become a household word in the van market in New Zealand will launch its first workhorse ute in July at a hugely competitive starting price of $29,990, including GST. LDV’s four-wheel-drive double-cab will be available in two specifications – Comfort and Luxury – and followed later in the year by a two-wheel-drive single-cab. … [Read more...] about China’s LDV enters ute market with double-cab for $29,990

Tracking the first Land-Rover to NZ ends in 1948 in Wellington …

March 13, 2017 by Alastair Sloane

The first Land-Rover shipped to New Zealand left the factory in the English Midlands on September 16, 1948. Chassis number R860020 was consigned to Wellington Motors. That’s all the early export order book shows. I thumbed through it at the company’s head office in Solihull a few years ago. What happened to the first Series 1 model after it landed here, who knows? Records of … [Read more...] about Tracking the first Land-Rover to NZ ends in 1948 in Wellington …

Maserati from 1960s inspired look of Kia Stinger, says design chief

March 11, 2017 by Alastair Sloane

The designer who penned Kia’s four-door, coupe-like Stinger reached back 50 years to Italy and the original Maserati Ghibli (above)  for his inspiration. Kia has already said it used the BMW 3-Series as a dynamic benchmark for Stinger, but its stylist Gregory Guillaume said he aimed at a more glamorous target for the design of the rear-drive car. "I always had in mind … [Read more...] about Maserati from 1960s inspired look of Kia Stinger, says design chief

New Wrangler to get hybrid powertrain, says Jeep boss

March 9, 2017 by Alastair Sloane

The next-generation Jeep Wrangler will come with petrol-electric hybrid power for the first time, company chief Mike Manley has confirmed. Manley told reporters at the Geneva motor show that while a full battery-electric (EV) Wrangler was “not a great fit”, a hybrid variant in the new-look 2018 range was. “We have continued our studies on hybridisation for the Wrangler, … [Read more...] about New Wrangler to get hybrid powertrain, says Jeep boss

Geneva motor show: which new models are heading to NZ first

March 8, 2017 by Alastair Sloane

The Peugeot 3008 (above) has been on sale in Europe for some time, but gained renewed attention at Geneva after winning the the 2017 European Car of the Year award. The mid-sized SUV arrives in New Zealand at the end of this month, but in such limited numbers that each Peugeot dealer gets only one each until the first substantial shipment lands here in June/July. Peugeot is … [Read more...] about Geneva motor show: which new models are heading to NZ first

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The Good Oil

French carmaker Renault has won the 2025 European Car of the Year award with the all-electric R5 supermini (pictured). It’s the brand’s second win in a row, following the new Scenic’s gong in 2024. The R5 led the vote count from start to finish from the 60 jurors in 23 countries. It received 353 points, beating the Kia EV3 (291 points) and the Citroen C3/e in third place with 215 points. It’s Renault’s eighth win in the 62-year history of the Coty award. The R5 goes on sale in the UK this month. There are two main drivetrains: a 90kW motor/40kWh battery model with a 300km range, and a 112kW/52kWh example with a 400km range. The R5 starts in price at £22.995, or $NZ50,000.

EU carmakers seek trade deal with Trump

BMW and Mercedes-Benz are among carmakers urging the European Union to get a favourable trade deal with US President Donald Trump. The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) wants to keep open trade with both the US and China. It fears Trump, who promises heavy tariffs on Chinese imports to the US, will look unfavourably on countries that continue to trade freely with Beijing. Ola Kallenius, president of the group and chairman of the management board of MB, said in a letter to EU leaders:  “Overall, it is essential to recognise that trade with China and the US is most vital for the prosperity of the European economy.The EU should seek a grand bargain with the US and attempt to avoid a potential trade conflict.”

Diesel fuels EV concept for US military

A  go-anywhere EV concept for the US military uses an onboard 12kW diesel generator to top up the batteries on the move.  The all-wheel-drive has 800-volt technology and a 200kWh battery pack to power three electric motors, two in the rear and one up front. Claimed output is 745kW/15,590Nm, or 1000hp and 11,500 ft-lb of torque.  The four-seater was developed by the defence division of General Motors and is based on the platform of the Hummer SUV. It rides on Fox performance shock absorbers and 37-inch tyres and comes with “exceptional” approach and departure angles for off-road mobility. Maximum range using the generator to keep things ticking over is said to be around 500km.

We are the World

The outside temperature in Midland, Texas, was 40.5C when staff at the local office of the US National Weather Service set out to show the cabin of a closed car can literally get baking hot in summer. They mixed up a batch of chocolate chip cookies and laid them on the car’s dashboard – the surface of which showed a temperature of 87.7C. A little over four hours later the cookies were ready to eat. “Even though ours weren’t golden brown, we can confirm that they are done and delicious,” the staff wrote on Facebook.

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Electric G-Wagen takes you for spin

https://youtu.be/NwHbJ7HN1sU

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