The next M5 is likely to get four-wheel-drive but with a trademark rear-drive bias, says the chief of BMW’s ‘M’ division, Frank van Meel. He told reporters at the Paris motor show: “The M5 has to drive like an M5 does today, but with better traction as well. “If we continue the power increases in the future then probably the next generation M5 and M6 will have so much … [Read more...] about New M5 likely to get all-wheel-drive to help harness 450kW
Hyundai’s ‘N’ cars will miss out on ‘Down Under’ suspension treatment
Hyundai’s high-performance ‘N’ cars won’t get the special ‘Down Under’ ride and handling treatment that the carmaker has made much of in the past few years. Instead, the N-badged cars will be tuned exclusively for Germany’s tortuous Nurburgring circuit. Hyundai’s engineering chief Albert Biermann told journalists at the Paris motor show: “No tuning for Australia, but we will … [Read more...] about Hyundai’s ‘N’ cars will miss out on ‘Down Under’ suspension treatment
Honda Civic R – what you see is what you’ll get in NZ
The next-generation Honda Civic Type R will be largely the same as the prototype pictured here when it lands in New Zealand later next year. The car has been unveiled at the Paris motor show, where Honda’s design chief Daisuke Tsutamori said: “You can expect that the car you see on the stand will be close to the car we will see on the road." That means the Civic R … [Read more...] about Honda Civic R – what you see is what you’ll get in NZ
Reinventing ‘Good Oil’ column
In September 1997, I started the Good Oil column in the NZ Herald. It included the We are the World section, a collection of oddball items mostly to do with motoring. Some were humourous, some highlighted a world gone mad. The Herald doesn’t do the column anymore. I figured I’d start it again. ########## In 2013, American Chad Dearth bought his dream car, a 1964 Chevy … [Read more...] about Reinventing ‘Good Oil’ column
New Land Rover Discovery: NZ query over engine choices
The all-new Land Rover Discovery will go on sale in New Zealand around the middle of next year – but the distributors here are still undecided about engine options. What is clear is that the introductory model will come with a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6. What isn’t is whether the new line-up of 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesels will cut it with buyers here. “We are a little … [Read more...] about New Land Rover Discovery: NZ query over engine choices