The middle-aged fellow in the sleeveless puffer jacket at the Ssangyong stand at Fieldays was checking out the South Korean brand’s new offering, the Tivoli XLV, a hatchback/crossover/SUV. The XLV stands for Extra Long Version. He said he was looking at it for his wife. She dealt in cut flowers. It ticked the right boxes, he said. He’d get it at the right Fieldays price, … [Read more...] about Ssangyong XLV and the non-turbo, cut flowers caper
Volkswagen's Piech
NZ vehicles in Fiat Chrysler recall to fix gearbox linked to actor’s death
Jeep Grand Cherokee and Chrysler vehicles in New Zealand are affected by a global recall for an automatic transmission shift lever that is at the centre of a probe into the death of Hollywood actor Anton Yelchin. Attempts to reach the NZ distributor, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), for the exact number went unanswered. But FCA Australia – where more than 47,000 are affected … [Read more...] about NZ vehicles in Fiat Chrysler recall to fix gearbox linked to actor’s death
Ford about to climb into a 2WD Everest SUV
Ford NZ looks like it might climb into another Everest SUV, this one with its five-cylinder turbo-diesel engine driving the rear wheels only. The company’s communications man Tom Clancy has confirmed that it is looking at a 2WD Everest to join the 4WD. Ford Australia will launch the 2WD in September. “It’s got great potential, but as of yet we have not confirmed it for … [Read more...] about Ford about to climb into a 2WD Everest SUV
Amon’s date with his 1966 Ford GT40: ‘California, here I come’
Chris Amon has a date in California in August that he would dearly love to keep. It’s a one-on-one with the restored Ford GT40 MkII (above) in which he and fellow Kiwi Bruce McLaren won the Le Mans 24-hour race in 1966. Chassis P/1046 will be the star attraction this year at the Pebble Beach Concourse d’Elegance, an annual extravaganza near Monterey. The racer is … [Read more...] about Amon’s date with his 1966 Ford GT40: ‘California, here I come’
Benz NZ weighs up E-Class wagon rival to Audi A6 Allroad
Mercedes-Benz is gearing up to launch the E-Class range in New Zealand – but it hasn’t yet decided on one special variant, the so-called All Terrain station wagon. The rival to the Audi A6 Allroad will be unveiled at the Paris motor show in October. Production has been confirmed for left-hand-drive markets, although Benz North America has ruled it out. It is still not … [Read more...] about Benz NZ weighs up E-Class wagon rival to Audi A6 Allroad