Sales of SUVs in New Zealand in the years 2011-2015 jumped by a dizzying 126 per cent, a feeding frenzy fuelled partly by marketing hype that said New Zealanders are an outdoorsy people and need such vehicles. That they mostly use them for journeys far away from anything ‘outdoorsy’ doesn’t matter. The image of an adventurous spirit will do nicely in an SUV world of Walter … [Read more...] about Toyota Fortuner: another in a SUV world of Walter Mittys
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Porsche chief: ‘No self-driving stuff for us’
Porsche does not plan to join the rush to develop self-driving vehicles, its CEO Oliver Blume has told a German newspaper. Porsche drivers want to drive their cars themselves, Blume said. "An iPhone belongs in your pocket, not on the road," he added. He said Porsche did not need to team up with any big technology companies. "Partnerships are generally not a bad idea … [Read more...] about Porsche chief: ‘No self-driving stuff for us’
New US law allows DeLorean carmaker to come back to the future
A small US company run by an British entrepreneur will start building modern versions of the DeLorean sports car from the hit movie trilogy Back to the Future. A change in US federal law means that the DeLorean Motor Company (DMC) of Humble, Texas, can each year build up to 500 examples of DMC-12, the car made famous by the films, starring Michael J. Fox and Christopher … [Read more...] about New US law allows DeLorean carmaker to come back to the future
First the new Porsche Boxster and Boxster S, then the premium GTS
Porsche is preparing a go-faster version of the new four-cylinder 718 Boxster and Boxster S – but it’s unlikely to be available in New Zealand until 2018. It will be badged the Boxster GTS, a moniker that means more specialised engineering. The Porsche distributors here say the renamed and restyled Boxster and Boxster S will go on sale here around the middle of this year. … [Read more...] about First the new Porsche Boxster and Boxster S, then the premium GTS
Peugeot’s latest go-fast hatchback is a blast from the past
Simon Rose’s list of priorities halfway through 2015 were SUVs, go-fast hatchbacks and sports coupes, not necessarily in that order. He had just become the divisional manager of Peugeot/Citroen/DS distributor Sime Darby Automobiles NZ (SDANZ) and was “entering a period of consolidation” to work closer with the new-look company’s Australian parent. “It will take six … [Read more...] about Peugeot’s latest go-fast hatchback is a blast from the past