Nissan has used the Hanover motor show in Germany to unveil a high-end Navara ute, specially toughened up and equipped for search and rescue operations. It’s called EnGuard, a play on the French preparatory fencing term ‘En Garde’. Based on a standard double-cab Navara, the EnGuard concept is designed to showcase both the ute’s all-terrain ability and a new life-saving … [Read more...] about Nissan kits out a Navara for search and rescue duty – see video
Motor shows
New Porsche for purists gets tongues wagging at Hampton Downs festival
A handful of New Zealanders are itching to get hold of the limited-edition Porsche dubbed the 911 R, a stripped-down flyer that won’t officially exist until Porsche says it does. All Porsche executives in Germany will say about the many spy photos of the car is that nosy-parkers will have to wait until the Geneva motor show in March. Porsche executives in New Zealand are … [Read more...] about New Porsche for purists gets tongues wagging at Hampton Downs festival
Skoda puts the finishing touches to its first big SUV
Is this a bigger version of the Skoda Yeti? No, it’s a stretched Yeti body on what will be the chassis for the new seven-seat Skoda SUV, due to officially break cover next year. Skoda confirmed last year that its large SUV was under development, but the pictures here show the test mule for the first time. Not that there’s a lot to see. Production has apparently not … [Read more...] about Skoda puts the finishing touches to its first big SUV
High-tech petrol engines stall sales of passenger diesels
Developing technology is bringing the efficiency of petrol engines closer to that of diesels – and car buyers in New Zealand are taking note. They are not buying as many diesel passenger sedans and hatchbacks as they once did. European distributors especially have noticed the move away from diesel. Although it is slight, it is definitely trending that way, they say. It is … [Read more...] about High-tech petrol engines stall sales of passenger diesels
Monster G-Wagen unlikely for NZ – but new Benz SUV shows its style
The ‘incredible hulk’ pictured above isn’t the point of this story. This is about the unofficial image of the vehicle just below these words. The one above is unlikely to ever turn up in New Zealand; the one below will be here before we know it. It is the Mercedes-Benz GLC, spied here at a loading dock in Germany. It’s the carmaker’s first mid-size SUV in … [Read more...] about Monster G-Wagen unlikely for NZ – but new Benz SUV shows its style