The luxury SUV market in New Zealand is to get another newcomer, this one in the form of the four-wheel-drive Maserati Levante. It will go on sale early next year, tackling established rivals from Range Rover, Lexus, Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, as well as the upcoming Jaguar F-Pace and Bently Bentayga. Both Bentayga and Levante have geographic meanings. … [Read more...] about Maserati Levante to join luxury SUV line-up in NZ
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Skoda’s new SUV points to future design cues
Skoda will take the covers off a near-production model of its new hero SUV at the Geneva motor show next month – and the official pictures here show what to expect. So far the Czech carmaker has released only design sketches and teaser images of the SUV, known throughout the development process as the VisionS concept. But the official pictures point to how Skoda’s … [Read more...] about Skoda’s new SUV points to future design cues
Brute ute with Jeep badge dwarfs Kiwi rivals in size and price
An all-American range of double cab utes has added a new dimension to the light truck market in New Zealand – but at twice and three times the price of traditional offerings from the likes of Toyota, Mitsubishi, Nissan, and Ford. It’s the Jeep Wrangler Brute, a four-wheel-drive carry-all based on a stretched version of the four-door Wrangler Unlimited. It dwarfs all … [Read more...] about Brute ute with Jeep badge dwarfs Kiwi rivals in size and price
Trade Me car listings and the NZTA: silence, spin doctors at work
News that the New Zealand Transport Agency has allowed auction site Trade Me access to a government database to better identify fraudsters selling dodgy cars online has been slanted by spin doctors. The stories say Trade Me has been given permission to access the Motor Vehicle Register, which lists the country’s vehicle owners. But Trade Me didn't need permission as such – … [Read more...] about Trade Me car listings and the NZTA: silence, spin doctors at work
Go-faster 2.0-litre engine expected to boost Mazda MX-5 sales
Sales of the Mazda MX-5 sports car are expected to lift now that the more powerful 2.0-litre model (above) has arrived in New Zealand with the option of an automatic gearbox. The 1.5-litre model was launched here in the latter half of last year. It was available only with a six-speed manual gearbox, hardly a handicap because little comes close to the blend of … [Read more...] about Go-faster 2.0-litre engine expected to boost Mazda MX-5 sales