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VW

Mini Golf – that’s where the updated Polo hatchback is headed

February 1, 2014 by Alastair Sloane

VW Polo ... mini Golf

Volkswagen has done what was expected, replaced the four-cylinder diesel engines in its facelifted Polo range with Euro6-compliant three-cylinder units. But the thrifty oil-burners aren’t likely to be among the engine options when the facelifted hatchback lands in New Zealand later this year. Instead, VW is expected to continue with 1.4-litre petrol power, something it … [Read more...] about Mini Golf – that’s where the updated Polo hatchback is headed

Star cars of the Detroit motor show

January 16, 2014 by Alastair Sloane

VW Beetle Dune Concept

Star cars of the Detroit motor show  Some are concepts, perhaps unlikely ever to make it into production, others are road-ready. A few of the road-ready models on show in Detroit will arrive in New Zealand this year. Mercedes-Benz GLA-and C-Class Three all-wheel-drive GLA variants will go on sale here this year, all powered by turbocharged 2.0-litre engines. The 200 … [Read more...] about Star cars of the Detroit motor show

Volkswagen lines up go-faster Golf models

December 22, 2013 by Alastair Sloane

  Volkswagen wasted no time cashing in on the Golf hatchback winning the country’s main car of the year award for 2013. No sooner had VW general manager Tom Ruddenklau accepted the NZ Motoring Writers’ Guild/AA gong for the seventh-generation Golf, than he confirmed the arrival in the New Year of two new go-faster Golf models. One is the Golf GTi Performance, a slightly … [Read more...] about Volkswagen lines up go-faster Golf models

Top 10 for NZ car of the year

October 15, 2013 by Alastair Sloane

Ford Kuga

The finalists for the 2013 New Zealand Car of the Year are a mixed bag, including three sports utility vehicles, a sports car, a luxury vehicle and, for the first time, an electric offering. The NZ Automobile Association and NZ Motoring Writers’ Guild will announce the winner in Auckland on December 5. The top 10 finalists are: Ford Kuga Holden Volt Holden … [Read more...] about Top 10 for NZ car of the year

Skoda and VW use digital App to improve life behind wheel

October 10, 2013 by Alastair Sloane

Skoda app

Volkswagen and Skoda are offering New Zealand drivers a new way to improve life on the road. It’s via an App – application software – that can be download for smartphones from the VW or Skoda websites. Skoda was first to launch the the App, followed by VW a week or so later. Both brands – distributed here by European Motor Distributors – offer pretty much the same App … [Read more...] about Skoda and VW use digital App to improve life behind wheel

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The Good Oil

French carmaker Renault has won the 2025 European Car of the Year award with the all-electric R5 supermini (pictured). It’s the brand’s second win in a row, following the new Scenic’s gong in 2024. The R5 led the vote count from start to finish from the 60 jurors in 23 countries. It received 353 points, beating the Kia EV3 (291 points) and the Citroen C3/e in third place with 215 points. It’s Renault’s eighth win in the 62-year history of the Coty award. The R5 goes on sale in the UK this month. There are two main drivetrains: a 90kW motor/40kWh battery model with a 300km range, and a 112kW/52kWh example with a 400km range. The R5 starts in price at £22.995, or $NZ50,000.

EU carmakers seek trade deal with Trump

BMW and Mercedes-Benz are among carmakers urging the European Union to get a favourable trade deal with US President Donald Trump. The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) wants to keep open trade with both the US and China. It fears Trump, who promises heavy tariffs on Chinese imports to the US, will look unfavourably on countries that continue to trade freely with Beijing. Ola Kallenius, president of the group and chairman of the management board of MB, said in a letter to EU leaders:  “Overall, it is essential to recognise that trade with China and the US is most vital for the prosperity of the European economy.The EU should seek a grand bargain with the US and attempt to avoid a potential trade conflict.”

Diesel fuels EV concept for US military

A  go-anywhere EV concept for the US military uses an onboard 12kW diesel generator to top up the batteries on the move.  The all-wheel-drive has 800-volt technology and a 200kWh battery pack to power three electric motors, two in the rear and one up front. Claimed output is 745kW/15,590Nm, or 1000hp and 11,500 ft-lb of torque.  The four-seater was developed by the defence division of General Motors and is based on the platform of the Hummer SUV. It rides on Fox performance shock absorbers and 37-inch tyres and comes with “exceptional” approach and departure angles for off-road mobility. Maximum range using the generator to keep things ticking over is said to be around 500km.

We are the World

The outside temperature in Midland, Texas, was 40.5C when staff at the local office of the US National Weather Service set out to show the cabin of a closed car can literally get baking hot in summer. They mixed up a batch of chocolate chip cookies and laid them on the car’s dashboard – the surface of which showed a temperature of 87.7C. A little over four hours later the cookies were ready to eat. “Even though ours weren’t golden brown, we can confirm that they are done and delicious,” the staff wrote on Facebook.

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Electric G-Wagen takes you for spin

https://youtu.be/NwHbJ7HN1sU

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