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
Highlights
New Wrangler to get hybrid powertrain, says Jeep boss
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
GM sale of Holden donor Opel opens up long-term questions
Above: Peugeot/Citroen CEO Carlos Tavares and GM's Mary Barra There are more questions than answers for New Zealand now that Peugeot/Citroen parent PSA Group has bought German brand Opel and British brand Vauxhall from General Motors. Firstly, will the PSA Group take Peugeot and Citroen in NZ and Australia away from the current distributor, Sime Darby? Secondly, will PSA … [Read more...] about GM sale of Holden donor Opel opens up long-term questions
Tesla urges NZ government to ‘let EV drivers use transit lanes’
Buy a Tesla and you get to use transit lanes – that’s the incentive the US electric carmaker wants city councils in New Zealand to put in place to hasten the adoption of zero-emission EVs. Tesla began negotiating with Auckland Transport administrators about such a dispensation long before it handed over the first public shipment of Tesla Model S sedans to their NZ owners … [Read more...] about Tesla urges NZ government to ‘let EV drivers use transit lanes’
Jeep NZ eyes five-year warranty deal Aussies have put in place
Will Jeep move to a five-year warranty on its 2017-year range in New Zealand? Jeep Australia has, under an improved ‘Jeep There and Back’ warranty and service package. It was launched by the new boss of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Australia, Steve Zanlunghi. Now FCA New Zealand chief David Smitherman is boning up on the deal with Zanlunghi. “We are currently reviewing the … [Read more...] about Jeep NZ eyes five-year warranty deal Aussies have put in place