The new Wrangler JL won’t be seen in New Zealand until next year – but Jeep USA has been testing four North American-market prototypes over rugged country around Wanaka and Queenstown. Jeep has already revealed static official pictures of the next-generation two-door and four-door Wrangler, but this is the first time either variant has been pictured doing what they were … [Read more...] about Jeep USA tests new Wranglers in rugged Kiwi country
Highlights
1970 VW Beetle to tackle annual off-road spectacular
It’s been described as one of the coolest entries in recent years, the appearance in next year’s Baja 1000 off-road race of a heavily modified 1970 Volkswagen Beetle. And behind the ProjectBaja.com team in the annual California-Mexico event will be the might of VW America. “For decades Volkswagen Beetle vehicles, Beetle-based racers and Dune Buggies have been competing in … [Read more...] about 1970 VW Beetle to tackle annual off-road spectacular
‘Huge market’ awaits Bosch’s off-the-shelf EV powertrain
German parts supplier Bosch has developed a “start-up powertrain for electric vehicles”, a plug-in system combining electric motor, transmission and power control electronics into one package. It calls it the ‘e-axle’, short for ‘electronic axle drive’. And it hopes carmakers that don’t yet have EV s in showrooms will buy the off-the-shelf Bosch system to avoid expensive … [Read more...] about ‘Huge market’ awaits Bosch’s off-the-shelf EV powertrain
Rare aluminium-bodied Ferrari found in Japan is up for auction
A unique Ferrari Daytona found earlier this year in a garage in Japan will be auctioned at the carmaker’s headquarters in Italy next week, alongside a new LaFerrari Aperta. Why the special event? Because the 1969 365 GTB/4 Daytona (above and below) is believed to be the only street-legal Daytona made with an all-aluminium body. Auction house R M Sothebys said Ferrari … [Read more...] about Rare aluminium-bodied Ferrari found in Japan is up for auction
German carmakers urged to build an EV to challenge Tesla
A senior advisor to German Chancellor Angela Merkel has urged the country’s carmakers to “build a car that travels 50 kilometres further than a Tesla and costs 10,000 euros less.” Merkel’s chief of staff Peter Altmaier said he was disappointed that neither Mercedes-Benz, BMW, or the Volkswagen Group had come close to matching Tesla’s electric vehicle (EVs) performance … [Read more...] about German carmakers urged to build an EV to challenge Tesla