Honda will launch its NSX supercar in New Zealand in a couple of months – three years after it told prospective buyers to expect the hybrid petrol-electric, all-wheel-drive two-door in 2016. It was January 2015 when Honda NZ managing director Nobuya Sonada opened the order book, saying he would have the NSX “from next year.” He added: “The NSX is part of Honda’s DNA and we … [Read more...] about At long last – Honda NZ to launch hybrid NSX supercar
Volkswagen's Piech
Nissan reworks Navara ute to kick-start static sales
The sales figures over the past two-and-a-half years tell the story of why Nissan needed to make improvements to its D23 Navara ute, marketed in New Zealand as the NP300. The one-tonner’s sales have been down year-on-year since its launch here in June 2015. Navara registrations in 2016 were down 1.7 per cent on 2015; 2017 were down 1.2 per cent on 2016. It is not a … [Read more...] about Nissan reworks Navara ute to kick-start static sales
New Hyundai SUV warns of cyclists approaching from rear
Pictured here is the fourth-generation Hyundai Santa Fe SUV, due to go on sale in New Zealand this year and with a safety system tailored in the interests of cyclists. ‘Safety exit assist’ (SEA) is bundled in Hyundai’s ‘SmartSense’ system, which includes the familiar autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection, radar cruise control and lane assist … [Read more...] about New Hyundai SUV warns of cyclists approaching from rear
New-look Outback, Legacy to benefit from Subaru’s 91% sales hike
Subaru NZ’s sales success in the past five years puts it among the top five nameplates in terms of passenger car growth, behind leader Kia and ahead of Mitsubishi, Mazda, and Honda. In 2013, Subaru registered 1748 new vehicles, according to Motor Industry Association (MIA) figures. Last year it registered 3340 – that’s growth in the years 2013-2017 of 91 per cent. Only … [Read more...] about New-look Outback, Legacy to benefit from Subaru’s 91% sales hike
Memory lane: vehicles that had something about them in 2017
I didn’t drive all the cars that figured in the numerous car of the year awards in New Zealand late last year, but the ones that left a lasting impression are listed here. They are opinions, that’s all. Like Dirty Harry, aka Clint Eastwood, said, “Everybody’s got one.” Of course he wasn’t just talking about opinions. Elon Musk didn’t invent the EV, but he can be credited … [Read more...] about Memory lane: vehicles that had something about them in 2017