New Zealand Autocar

23/07/2024

It began with the CFMoto 450SR sports bike. Big performance for not a huge outlay. Now CFMoto has lobbed a gr***de in the compact adventure sector. We ride the striking 450MT.

We ride the value oriented adventure bike - CFMoto 450MT - to see how this new, low priced bike compares to its more established rivals.

23/07/2024

Cadillac has blended its past with its future with the unveiling of the Sollei Concept. Massive, OTT convertibles were once the preserve of Cadillac, the pinnacle of American luxury and opulence. But it has been decades since GM’s top dog offered one.

Cadillac Sollei Concept - for wealthy sun lovers Cadillac has revealed the Sollei concept, an all electric, ultra luxury convertible for wealthy sun lovers

23/07/2024

Mercedes’ first mainstream EV, the EQC, is no longer being made and there’s no immediate replacement for it.

Mercedes first electric SUV gone after five years Mercedes has dropped its unpopular EQC after just five years following poor sales.

22/07/2024

Cosworth has been cranking out some incredible V12s and V10s recently. What's your favourite Cosworth-powered/tuned car?

21/07/2024

Michael Andretti’s raised right arm said it all following the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto at Exhibition Place, and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES team owner could have raised two. One for Colton Herta, another for Kyle Kirkwood.

The two drivers gave Andretti Global a win for the first time since last year’s rebranding and its first 1-2 finish in a race since Kirkwood and Romain Grosjean delivered in 2023 at Long Beach.

Herta ended a 40-race winless drought by scoring his first series race victory in 799 days, and an Andretti car won this event for the ninth time overall. Andretti won seven times as a driver, Ryan Hunter-Reay went to victory lane for Andretti’s team in 2012.

“We needed this so bad,” Andretti said after the race. “We’ve been competitive all year but we just haven’t been able to get the final result

Dixon finished third to tie Mario Andretti for the most top-three finishes in series history. Each has 141.

Behind those three was something of a mess, including stoppage for a multi-car accident in Turn 1 on Lap 73.

Pato O’Ward was running sixth when he spun his No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet halfway around. At that point, there wasn’t much damage to his car, but there soon was. Worse, he was facing traffic and could see oncoming traffic at speed.

Marcus Ericsson veered his No. 27 Delaware Life Honda into O’Ward’s car on the left side of the track, but that wasn’t the end of it. Pietro Fittipaldi was the fifth car in line after Ericsson’s contact, and he struck O’Ward’s car with enough force to lift his off the ground. Santino Ferrucci was trailing Fittipaldi, and his No. 14 Chevrolet launched, hitting the fence with the bottom of the car before landing on the track upside down.

Rookie Nolan Siegel and his No. 6 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet followed Ferrucci into the crash site, and his car struck O’Ward’s as well. Rookie Toby Sowery then hit Siegel with his No. 51 Honda of Dale Coyne Racing. Fortunately, no one was injured.

If that wasn’t enough, Team Penske had a disastrous lap with nine laps remaining. Will Power bumped Scott McLaughlin into the Turn 5 wall, leading to a penalty and sarcastic applause from McLaughlin as he waited for his teammate to come back around. They were racing for fourth place.

Marcus Armstrong finished in fifth place with Kiwi rookie Hunter McElrea finishing 24th.

The series will take three weekends off as the Paris Olympics are held. The 13th race of the 17-race season will be the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at World Wide Technology on Aug. 17.

21/07/2024

The Cadillac brand will be on sale here in NZ soon with the new Lyriq. And the company has no intentions of scaling things back in the face of slowing EV sales.

Cadillac Lyriq still on course for NZ launch Cadillac is still on course to launch its Lyriq luxury EV here in NZ

21/07/2024

There’s a new baseline for EV crossover value in New Zealand and you’re looking at it, the Omoda E5. Is it a step up on its rivals?

NZ Autocar tests the new Omoda E5 EX on Kiwi roads. Will the firm's first EV launched in NZ be good enough to solidify a place in our market?

21/07/2024

A great run for Shane van Gisbergen this weekend. Getting to grips with the ovals.

Van Gisbergen impresses with fourth on Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval Shane van Gisbergen finishes a creditable fourth on an oval track.

21/07/2024

A convertible in July doesn’t sound much like fun. But when it’s a Corvette with a small block V8 nestled in behind you, it can help shake off those winter blues.

We take the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 3LT Convertible out to see how the top-down feeling pairs with the 6.2L V8 burble. So then, any good?

21/07/2024

Time will tell. Let's wait and see?

Government acts to deliver 24-hour pothole repairs The Government is working to identify and fix most potholes on busy roads within 24 hours.

19/07/2024

Kia has released another teaser for its upcoming double-cab diesel Tasman ute. The all-new model is due to be shown in final form before the end of the year ahead of its official release in mid-2025.

Kia Teases Tasman Ute Again Another teaser video was put out there recently by Kia showing its Tasman ute during development.

19/07/2024

Lexus is bringing its LBX Morizo RR to NZ. Think of it as a luxury GR Yaris and you’re on the right track. This particular version of the littlest Lexus is powered by a turbocharged 1.6 litre triple with a handy 206kW and 390Nm.

Lexus to offer hi-po LBX in NZ Lexus will offer the LBX Morizo RR in New Zealand. the new luxo performance SUV will arrive here in 2025.

19/07/2024

Good on you Subaru New Zealand and the Tony Quinn Foundation. All drivers need educating from an early age.

Subaru Partners with Street Smart Driver Education Subaru New Zealand is now the official vehicle supplier for the Street Smart programme.

19/07/2024

Who, what, where and when you can view Kiwi's representing New Zealand overseas.

Motorsport Diary: Kiwis racing overseas this weekend Motorsport Diary outlines important races for the weekend of July 30-21st, 2024.

18/07/2024

Zeekr has landed in New Zealand. Another of those electric car brands from China you’ve never heard of.

Zeekr X spotted in Auckland A Zeekr X electric SUV has been spotted in New Zealand.

18/07/2024

The Automobile Association is reminding motorists their car batteries will be feeling the effects of winter just as much as humans are. Flat battery callouts have topped 10,000 since the beginning of winter. ­

AA says cooler conditions increase flat battery callouts

17/07/2024

Seat is culling Tarraco from its range, making way instead for Cupra’s new Terramar SUV, according to Autocar UK.

Cupra boost from new medium SUV Terramar

17/07/2024

For some time Audi has been using tailpipe trims, often incorporated into the rear bumper, that are not connected to the actual exhaust system. It has decided to abandon this practice after negative customer feedback.

Audi shies away from fake exhausts for its ICE cars Audi intends to limit its use of fake exhausts following negative customer feedback.

17/07/2024

Audi has launched a new A4, and called it the A5. Confused? You shouldn’t be if you’ve been paying attention. Audi has previously said it will restructure its line up and naming system to reflect its range of EV and ICE offerings. Going forward, vehicles with even numbers stand for electrically powered models, and odd numbers are for vehicles with combustion engines.

The Audi A5 is the new A4 The new Audi A5 replaces the old Audi A4. It is powered by a range of mild hybrid petrol engines.

16/07/2024

AMI has launched a new Roadside Rescue service which will be available for all New Zealanders, anywhere around the country, regardless of whether they are insured with AMI.

AMI Roadside Rescue to rival AA call out service AMI is making its Roadside Rescue service available to all New Zealanders for a set fee.

16/07/2024

The new Porsche Macan line-up, the all electric one, is expanding with the German sports car maker announcing a rear-wheel drive entry point. Also new is a Macan 4S with ‘up to 380kW’ of amp-generated power, and this model fits in between the Macan 4 and the Turbo.

Porsche Macan line-up grows The Porsche Macan line-up grows to four variants with the introduction of the RWD model and the 4S

16/07/2024

Audi looks set to kick the traditional three-box saloon design into touch. The German favours the Sportback style because of its inherently better practicality and greater aero efficiency.

Sportbacks Will Replace Saloons at Audi Sportbacks are taking over at Audi to the point that sedans are an endangered species.

16/07/2024

More power and a sportier chassis tune are coming to Nissan’s family EV. This may also explain why Nissan locally deferred the launch of the Ariya here.

New Ariya updates may explain the deferred launch Nissan is facelifting Ariya and adding a hot Nismo variant, two actually.

16/07/2024

The price of battery cells is dropping quickly as companies producing them battle for supremacy. That has resulted in overcapacity and price cuts to maintain market share.

Cheaper electric cars are on the way Cheaper EVs are likely due to oversupply of lithium-ion battery components in China.

16/07/2024

Royal Enfield has added a fourth model to its 650 twin line-up, the Shotgun, a stylish bobber. We cross the ditch to ride it in the hills northeast of Melbourne.

NZ Autocar tests Royal Enfield's 650 Shotgun bobber. So what is this LAMS approved adventurer like to ride then?

16/07/2024

Signs will be erected in areas where fixed speed cameras are operating to warn drivers. The hope is drivers check their speed, slow down if necessary and avoid getting ticketed.

Signs for speed camera areas coming

15/07/2024

The new Skoda Superb and Kodiaq will be along soon, and both have been given a five star award for safety in the latest round of Euro NCAP testing.

Skoda performs well in latest round of crash testing Skoda Superb and Kodiaq score five star in latest Euro NCAP crash testing

15/07/2024

As predicted from a news item last year, Ford is readying an all-electric version of its Puma small SUV. The Gen-E variant will launch later this year in Europe with a mildly different body style compared with the current ICE model.

Ford’s Electric Puma Gen-E Is About to Launch Ford is readying an electric Puma for launch later this year, with production in Romania.

15/07/2024

Subaru has developed its hottest WRX for the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed and it proved to be quite the runner. Known as ‘Project Midnight’ it took on the motoring festival’s famed hillclimb Timed Shootout.

Subaru has another crack at the Goodwood Hillclimb Subaru has had another crack at the top podium step of the Goodwood hillclimb.

14/07/2024

The Concept BST is a re-imagining of Polestar’s 6 supersports car, “turned up to 11”. The firm unveiled the electric sportster at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Polestar Concept BST suggests motorsport model Polestar has shown off a track variant of its new 6 sports car at Goodwood.