European brand SEAT is to return to New Zealand next year with two initial offerings, a hot hatchback and SUV. The Spanish carmaker dipped its toe in the NZ market about 15 years ago with ex-Australia examples of the Cordoba sedan, sold through Auckland’s European Motor Distributors (EMD). But that was the last NZ saw of the make until now. SEAT is a subsidiary of the … [Read more...] about VW-owned Spanish brand SEAT to return to NZ
Entry-level diesel heads new BMW 5-Series line-up
It was in the late 1990s when a BMW executive exclaimed: “Diesels! We are not going to bring diesels into New Zealand.” It was in Spain, at the launch of the then 3-Series range. The standout model among a handful of peaky petrols was a lone diesel, the 320d. Fast forward over a decade and a half and BMW is doing something that once would have caused bad language in the NZ … [Read more...] about Entry-level diesel heads new BMW 5-Series line-up
Car theft: tuning into radio signal from keyless fobs
A device used to steal cars which has befuddled law enforcement agencies in the US has been identified as a tool for testing vehicle network safety, according to the country’s National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). The small electronic device first surfaced a few years ago, when surveillance cameras recorded thieves unlocking car doors, starting the engine and driving … [Read more...] about Car theft: tuning into radio signal from keyless fobs
Crime bureau identifies transmitters car thieves use
America's National Insurance Crime Bureau has identified a transmitter that car thieves use to tune into modern cars with keyless fobs and push-button start. It's called a Relay Attack unit – and the car industry itself uses it to test the network security of its vehicle. … [Read more...] about Crime bureau identifies transmitters car thieves use
Subaru Impreza NZ-bound with Japan’s ultimate stamp of approval
The crowning of the all-new Subaru Impreza as 2016 Japan Car of the Year came just days after New Zealand motoring writers trialled the pre-production hatchback on roads around Auckland. The all-wheel-drive Impreza will go on sale here late in February, after its price is revealed around at the same time as the knees-up for the go-faster WRX’s 25th birthday at Rod Millen’s … [Read more...] about Subaru Impreza NZ-bound with Japan’s ultimate stamp of approval