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Alastair Sloane

Nissan kits out a Navara for search and rescue duty – see video

September 22, 2016 by Alastair Sloane

Nissan has used the Hanover motor show in Germany to unveil a high-end Navara ute, specially toughened up and equipped for search and rescue operations. It’s called EnGuard, a play on the French preparatory fencing term ‘En Garde’. Based on a standard double-cab Navara, the EnGuard concept is designed to showcase both the ute’s all-terrain ability and a new life-saving … [Read more...] about Nissan kits out a Navara for search and rescue duty – see video

VW Beetle scuttles to a record speed run

September 22, 2016 by Alastair Sloane

A heavily modified Volkswagen Beetle recorded 330.111km/h (204mph) at the 2016 World of Speed event on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. Its 2.0-litre engine was specially rebuilt to deliver 405kW, the car was lowered to aid aerodynamics, and its interior was stripped to accommodate a roll cage, lightweight racing seat and harness. Two parachutes built into the rear … [Read more...] about VW Beetle scuttles to a record speed run

Skoda drives in new direction with global happy face

September 21, 2016 by Alastair Sloane

Skoda is giving its New Zealand dealers a new identity, one designed to make its customers feel a little bit special. It’s redesigning the seven full dealerships inside and out, right down to matching corporate logo and signage, the layout of furniture, and a so-called ‘communication wall’ showing what’s happening in the world of Skoda. The first of the new-look outlets … [Read more...] about Skoda drives in new direction with global happy face

Latest Lexus seat design is no April Fool trick, not this time

September 19, 2016 by Alastair Sloane

The last time Lexus talked about revolutionising seat technology was on March 31 this year, when it unveiled the Variable-Load Coupling Rear Orientation (V-LCRO) system for its high-performance RC-F coupe. It said it was working with the makers of Velcro material to produce special V-LCRO car seats. The material would be introduced in 2020 and pretty much glue occupants in … [Read more...] about Latest Lexus seat design is no April Fool trick, not this time

Subaru XV – opportunity knocks for new-look 2017 model

September 19, 2016 by Alastair Sloane

Sales of small SUVs in New Zealand are whittling away at those of small passenger cars, statistics that Subaru NZ managing director Wallis Dumper believes will provide new opportunities for the company’s next-generation XV model. “Small SUVs will in the next three to five years outsell small passenger cars,” he said. “It might be quicker than that because the trend towards … [Read more...] about Subaru XV – opportunity knocks for new-look 2017 model

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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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