Kia says its fourth-generation Rio will offer class-leading practicality, better ride and handling, and the latest infotainment technology when it arrives in New Zealand around the middle of next year. The teaser sketches it has just released hint that the carmaker is working to build a larger gap between the five-door and its smaller stablemate, the Picanto. The sketches – … [Read more...] about New Kia Rio hatch: Could there be a GT variant?
Volkswagen's Piech
Volkswagen Tiguan, stretched for seven-seat buyers
The latest Volkswagen Tiguan has just gone on sale in New Zealand, the first VW Group SUV to sit on the MQB chassis architecture, which underpins everything from the Golf Mk 7 to the Skoda Octavia. The architecture allows the Tiguan to be stretched, giving the production-ready vehicle pictured above a 110mm longer wheelbase and larger rear overhang. The rear door is also … [Read more...] about Volkswagen Tiguan, stretched for seven-seat buyers
Shelby’s original 1962 Cobra sells for record price
The first Shelby Cobra (above) has become the most expensive American car sold at auction, fetching US$13.75 million (NZ$18.8m) at the annual Pebble Beach Concours d’ Elegance. But the undoubted star of the auction scene was the 1956 Le Mans winner, a 1955 Jaguar D-Type which fetched US$21.780,000 (NZ$29.8m). Jaguar magazine said chassis number XKD501 was the first … [Read more...] about Shelby’s original 1962 Cobra sells for record price
German-built V6 Amarok has special appeal in ute segment
Volkswagen’s V6 Amarok ute will hit the ground running in New Zealand in November, if only because it is being built at the company’s plant in Hanover, Germany. The updated Amarok V6 will come from Germany until towards the middle of next year, when production shifts to VW’s South American plant, in Pacheco, Argentine, alongside the facelifted 2.0-litre variant. Until … [Read more...] about German-built V6 Amarok has special appeal in ute segment
Nissan variable compression engine ‘most advanced ever’
Nissan’s premium arm Infiniti will unveil its 2.0-litre variable-compression petrol engine at the Paris motor show next month – and tests have shown it is just as efficient as a similar capacity diesel unit, says the company. It is already being hailed in Europe as the ‘most advanced internal combustion engine ever created.’ The turbocharged 2.0-litre VC-T is said to offer … [Read more...] about Nissan variable compression engine ‘most advanced ever’