Maserati’s Levante SUV would have shared much with the Jeep Grand Cherokee had Sergio Marchionne not stepped in and told engineers and designers to stop what they were doing and start again. The Levante had been taking shape on a Grand Cherokee platform for more than 18 months before the Fiat Chrysler Automotive (FCA) boss halted progress. A Maserati needs to be a Maserati, … [Read more...] about Maserati Levante was nearly a swept-up Jeep Grand Cherokee
Latest news
Future of electric cars: follow road the computer industry took
Jason Torchinsky, from US website Jalopnik, writes that the electric car industry should model itself on how computers evolved … At this moment, the idea that we’re on the brink of electric cars becoming cheaper to build than combustion cars is getting a lot of traction, along with the idea that EVs will be as cheap to own as a family car even sooner. These are important … [Read more...] about Future of electric cars: follow road the computer industry took
China’s Geely gets Lotus in a deal with Malaysia’s Proton
The Chinese conglomerate that owns Sweden’s Volvo Cars is now planning to breathe new life into its latest acquisition, famous British sports car brand Lotus. Geely’s holding company has bought a 49 per cent stake in Malaysian carmaker Proton, which owns Lotus. Part of the deal will include Geely taking a majority 51 per cent share in Lotus. The takeover will allow Geely … [Read more...] about China’s Geely gets Lotus in a deal with Malaysia’s Proton
VW debuts safety ‘first’ with Arteon, the CC coupe replacement
Volkswagen’s replacement for the four-door CC coupe will land in New Zealand in October with the carmaker’s new occupant protection system, a proactive package that can take control of the car from an incapacitated driver. It is called Emergency Assist 2 and will be standard equipment in the new Arteon, the coupe version of the current Passat sedan. It introduces an … [Read more...] about VW debuts safety ‘first’ with Arteon, the CC coupe replacement
Porsche RSR with 10km on clock set to fetch NZ$3m at auction
This rare Porsche 911 might look dirty, but only because it’s covered in the original Cosmoline, a rust protectant. Another thing about it is that it was bought last century, driven 10km, and then locked up in a private garage. And that’s where this Type 964 Carrera RSR has been sitting untouched since 1993. It is one of only 51 such models ever built and goes up for … [Read more...] about Porsche RSR with 10km on clock set to fetch NZ$3m at auction