A search for the origins of the word ‘vezel’ reveals it is linked to the Dutch language word for ‘body fibre,’ or something like that. English translations aside, the moniker quickly zapped the body fibres of Honda distributors as soon as the carmaker unveiled the compact Vezel SUV at the Tokyo motor show. To a man they were reported as saying that Vezel would likely be a … [Read more...] about Honda ‘Vezel’ spells ‘fear of Europe’ and elsewhere
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Honda car crashes doing 325km/h in California
US racer Brian Gillespie was attempting to clock 200mph (325km/h) in his Honda Insight on a dry lake bed in California when the car took on a life of its own. Gillespie had just passed 190mph. He got out of the wreck with minor injuries. See the video above. … [Read more...] about Honda car crashes doing 325km/h in California
Jeep salutes military history with the Willys Wheeler
Jeep has paid tribute to its World War Two military heritage by trotting out a special Wrangler edition called the Willys Wheeler. The four-wheel-drive specialist says the model was inspired not so much by the original military workhorse, but the post-war Willys CJ, or Civilian Jeep. The Willys-Overland CJ-2A reached the US public in 1945. It became a favourite among … [Read more...] about Jeep salutes military history with the Willys Wheeler
New Mini grows in every direction
The third-generation Mini will arrive in New Zealand next year sporting a range of three- and four-cylinder engines and more high-tech equipment than ever before. The car goes into production in England this week – 107 years after the birth of original Mini designer Sir Alec Issigonis. It’s bigger allround than the outgoing Mini – 98mm longer, 44mm wider and 7mm … [Read more...] about New Mini grows in every direction
Barina RS: a battle of the sexes
The split is almost identical in both countries: females in New Zealand and Australia buy six out of every 10 Holden Barina hatchbacks sold. But the ratio might change on both sides of the Ditch now that Holden has introduced the Barina RS, a warmish five-door hatchback priced at $26,490 and using the 1.4-litre turbocharged engine that serves the bigger Cruze range. Early … [Read more...] about Barina RS: a battle of the sexes