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Volkswagen's Piech

Holden sets up hands-on training for young drivers

February 3, 2018 by Alastair Sloane

There’s no answer to the question road-safety campaigners are asking: why weren’t 100 of the 276 people who died in car accidents in New Zealand in 2017 wearing seatbelts? Police highway patrolman Sergeant Mark Fleming doesn’t know. Nor does motorsport ace Greg Murphy or longtime driving educator Peter Sheppard (pictured above with Murphy). Apart, that is, from the cocksure … [Read more...] about Holden sets up hands-on training for young drivers

Tesla is on the skids, says auto industry bigwig Bob Lutz

January 29, 2018 by Alastair Sloane

Outspoken auto-industry veteran Bob Lutz has advised car collectors in the US to get hold of a Tesla Model S “while they’re still available” – an insinuation that the electric carmaker might not be around much longer. Lutz, 85, speaking at a classic car auction in Arizona, said: “Twenty-five years from now, it (Model S) will be remembered as the first really good-looking, … [Read more...] about Tesla is on the skids, says auto industry bigwig Bob Lutz

37 per cent of road deaths in NZ from crashes at night

January 27, 2018 by Alastair Sloane

Three out of every 10 fatal car crashes in New Zealand in the past five years happened at night, NZ Transport Agency data shows. Of the 1571 road deaths in the years 2013-2017, 520, or 33 per cent, occurred between 7pm and 7am. Add those victims who died later from injuries sustained in the night-time crashes and the total is 575, or almost 37 per cent. 2013 – 253 … [Read more...] about 37 per cent of road deaths in NZ from crashes at night

Kia Optima gets new look and updated technology

January 26, 2018 by Alastair Sloane

Kia’s head office in South Korea has revealed its facelifted Optima sedan, ahead of its launch in New Zealand later this year. The upgraded four-door gets a new look front and rear along with technology updates, including Kia’s latest infotainment system. Up front, the design of the Optima’s slim ‘Tiger nose’ grille pretty much remains, although it now has vertical … [Read more...] about Kia Optima gets new look and updated technology

Volvo engine plant is the first to officially go ‘green’

January 25, 2018 by Alastair Sloane

Volvo has put its money where its mouth is – its engine factory (above) in Sweden is now officially carbon-neutral. The carmaker switched to renewable heating on January 1, 10 years after it turned to renewable sources for the plant’s electricity. All heating supplied to the facility is now generated from waste incineration, biomass and recycled bio-fuels. The … [Read more...] about Volvo engine plant is the first to officially go ‘green’

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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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