New Zealanders will sooner rather than later find the range of new mainstream petrol and diesel passenger cars is shrinking as carmakers ramp up production of plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and battery-electric vehicles (EVs). It won’t necessarily be because global demand for such EVs has overnight gone through the roof, but environmental lawmakers in the European Union will have … [Read more...] about Counting down to time when fossil-fuelled cars will be limited
Volkswagen's Piech
A hybrid Hilux? As the man said, it’s all about solutions
Toyota introduced its petrol-electric Prius hybrid in the late 1990s, around the time Silicon Valley visionary Jaron Lanier was talking about solving things. “If you aren’t part of the solution, there will be no solution,” Lanier told the tech world. But Toyota was already part of the solution. Its problem? How to cut real-world exhaust emissions in the vehicles it makes. … [Read more...] about A hybrid Hilux? As the man said, it’s all about solutions
British marque Lister develops go-faster Jaguar F-Pace SUV
The Jaguar F-Pace SVR has been turned into “Britain’s fastest and most powerful SUV” by long-time British performance house and racing marque Lister. Original Lister race car helped forge links with Jaguar and 1958 NZ Grand Prix It’s named the Stealth, limited to 100 units worldwide, and priced from £109,950 (NZ$220,000). Said Lister in a statement: “The Stealth adds … [Read more...] about British marque Lister develops go-faster Jaguar F-Pace SUV
GM to set up NZ outlets for Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado
It’s finally been confirmed after months of speculation – a new General Motors venture will supply hand-picked US models for Australia and New Zealand starting later this year. In doing so it will replace long-time performance company Holden Special Vehicles. The first vehicle GM Specialty Vehicles (GMSV) will deliver will be the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LTZ pick-up truck. … [Read more...] about GM to set up NZ outlets for Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado
‘Prius dusting’ at the flick of a diesel truck switch
It’s called ‘rolling coal’ in the USA. It’s a disease of the mind, where drivers of diesel pick-up trucks modify their engines to belch a cloud bank of exhaust soot at the flick of a switch. It’s also called ‘Prius dusting’, a derogatory use of the name of Toyota’s hybrid. It’s done to protest environmental initiatives. Flipping the bird, but with a switch. Nothing unusual, … [Read more...] about ‘Prius dusting’ at the flick of a diesel truck switch