However you slice and dice the numbers the luxury vehicle segment in New Zealand is at its most competitive for some years, helped by the overall hot sales market and the expanded range of new models. Motor Industry Association figures for September had the main players – Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz – neck-and-neck on sales of passenger vehicles (cars and SUVS): Audi 184, … [Read more...] about NZ luxury sales market: more cut and thrust as Benz flies high
BMW
Premium segment shows up shift to petrol power over diesel
BMW is about to roll out its most fuel-efficient diesel engine, a 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit it claims is good for town-and-around use of 3.8-litres/100km (75mpg) when mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission in the 2-Series coupe. It is likely to be available in New Zealand from next year, firstly in the 2-Series Active Tourer. But it comes at a time when sales of … [Read more...] about Premium segment shows up shift to petrol power over diesel
Exclusive: Sneak peek at new models on way to NZ from Europe
Car designers working for European spy agency Automedia have completed computer-generated images of what New Zealanders can expect from Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, Opel (Holden), Audi and BMW over the next couple of years. The designers base their interpretations of how future cars will look on inside industry information and countless spy images taken at road test facilities … [Read more...] about Exclusive: Sneak peek at new models on way to NZ from Europe
New VW Passat range hides engine for updated Amarok
Volkswagen has taken the wraps off the new Passat (above) ahead of its official unveiling at the Paris motor show in October – and topping the list of its optional engines is the one expected to go into the updated Amarok ute. It’s a boosted 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel that delivers 176kW and 500Nm of torque, or 44kW and 100Nm more than the 132kW/400Nm twin-turbo engine … [Read more...] about New VW Passat range hides engine for updated Amarok
New Lexus out to muscle its way into compact SUV market
Lexus might have been the first to bring hybrid drivetrains to the softroad SUV market – but it is the last to bring them to the one that matters most, the compact segment. Its new NX, sort of a scaled-down version of the RX, will be here in October, chockablock with whizzbang bits and pieces like a wireless phone charger (Apple iPhone users will need a special adapter), and a … [Read more...] about New Lexus out to muscle its way into compact SUV market