The thing about New Year’s Resolutions (aside from hardly ever working) is that they are generally not well thought out; they are predominantly quite short term and usually non committal. Give up smoking (or at least cut down). Same with alcohol. Look for a new job (because you want some more money), get fit, travel […]
For in excess of a century, Mercedes-Benz has been in the forefront of the motoring industry, constantly pushing the envelope in terms of vehicle design, style and technology. The 3-Pointed-Star is synonymous with luxury and desirability and with an envious range of vehicles that includes compacts, sedans, shooting brakes and SUV’s, Mercedes-Benz is a brand […]
First introduced to the automotive world in 1984, the BMW M5 was an overnight sensation. It brought together a myriad of driving emotions by combining the luxurious freedom of a large European 4-door sedan with the racing spirit of a track-ready sportscar. This year sees the new, sixth-generation BMW M5 taken into all new territory, […]
Jaguar Land Rover has a new mission with James Bond – a three-year partnership at the state-of-the-art interactive experience, 007 ELEMENTS in Sölden, Austria. 007 ELEMENTS offers visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the world of the iconic secret agent in a new mountain-top location next to the ice Q restaurant used as the […]
Audi e-tron Vision Gran Turismo From the PlayStation to the race, the Audi e-tron Vision GT turns virtual into reality New Mercedes-AMG Showroom Now you can experience the Mercedes-AMG brand with all five senses with the first dedicated AMG Performance Centre in New Zealand. With its high quality materials, motorsport theming and the hallmark AMG […]
The Ferrari Challenge is the widest ranging and most envied one-make series in the world and for the first time ever, it was held in New Zealand. Fittingly, Hampton Downs Motorsport Park played host to a weekend of high performance, high drama and ultimate luxury in an event like no other – and we were […]
There gets to a certain point in your life (hopefully) when your place in the universe begins to click. The relevance of things becomes clearer, your attitude is more defined and your ‘zen’ more apparent. It’s not necessarily an age thing (although there is a good argument for time served), it’s more about the acceptance […]
Back in the early 70’s, the hair was big, the shoes were platformed and the trousers were bell-bottomed wider than Cheshire Cat’s Smile. It was a flamboyant and expressive time where collars were long and the attention span wasn’t. Popular music was Disco and more importantly Glam Rock, with one of the Glamest being Marc […]
I was always brought up with the understanding that first impressions last, and that their importance is paramount. Apparently, during that chance or appointed meeting, the experts believe that this ‘battle’ is won or lost in an instant. Your approach, your smile, your persona, your handshake, what you first say (including the tone) and what […]
Held since 1905, the Geneva International Motor Show showcases exotic supercars, prototypes, the latest in technical innovation, and the best of the best in the automotive world. 1. Ferrari 488 Pista The Ferrari 488 Pista is powered by the most powerful V8 engine in the Maranello marque’s history and is the company’s special series sports […]
It seems to me that modern-day family life is not only getting unbelievably busy, but it’s also getting more and more disjointed. What used to be a weekend is now a series of ‘events’ and what used to be interaction now seems to be a group of people at the same location whose minds (and […]
A short trip up the M40 gets you (me) to Gaydon in Shakespeare county, Warwickshire. Gaydon is a sleepy enough little town, brick and tile homes and a couple of convenience stores, but it is also home to the British Motor Museum and a couple of very impressive car marques. I was there to visit […]
My friends at Winger Alfa Romeo were kind enough to offer me their Giulia Quadrifoglio for the weekend, but that, in turn, invoked a fair amount of inner turmoil. Although I had been chomping at the bit to drive the Giulia again, as most Alfa owners would probably attest, the Romeos of old have a […]
(Well, ok, three if you add the Cabriolet) Apparently, there are saloon people and there are those that have a penchant for the styling of a coupe. Mercedes-Benz New Zealand figured they’d let me decide what my preference was by lending me two E400 models, back to back. As you are probably already well aware, the […]
New Zealand punches above its weight in so many sports, boxing, rugby (of course), cricket, netball, sailing and motorsport to name but a few. However, aside from a particular chosen few, our venues still leave a lot to be desired. We are seldom on the list of must-see stadiums or event centres, but it would […]
With its Super Slow-mo video, best-in-class low light camera and AR Emoji for a more personalised way to express yourself, the Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ are the smartphone reimagined. The Super Slow-mo feature makes everyday moments epic. Video is captured at a rate of 960 frames per second and can be started manually or through […]
The Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ is the smart phone reimagined. With Super Slow-mo video, best-in-class low light camera, and AR Emoji for a more personalised way to express yourself – in short, it’s built for the way we communicate today. At its New Zealand launch, Samsung gathered together an eclectic group of celebrities, sports […]
Having recently been behind the wheel of the latest Honda Civic hatch and the new (and impressive) Civic Type-R, it seemed only right to visit the Swindon plant to see where and how they had been created. Call me a bit of a geek if you like, but I am actually fascinated by how things […]
BMW 640i xDrive Gran Turismo Five meets seven when creating the BMW 640i xDrive Gran Turismo. Take the front from a 7-series and combine it with the tail end of the 5-series. Add in some extra comfort, take away the road noise and you get BMW’s new 640i xDrive Gran Turismo. Built for conquering oodles […]
A recent study by Ford research boffins in Europe highlighted that regularly driving a sports car can greatly increase your sense of wellbeing and emotional fulfillment. Therefore, although our off-roading friends may find a certain sense of pleasure slowly wallowing around in the mud ruts of the countryside, they have evidently, by owning a mere […]
In my humble opinion, the idea or concept surrounding a man cave is, essentially, escape. It’s a place to call your own. You can ‘design’ it yourself (and by that I mean fill it with every toy and gadget you can lay your hands on), turn up the volume on your stupidly overpowered stereo, and […]
Performing Arts are essentially an emotional expression. They are a way for artists to convey feelings and emotive articulation through the likes of music, dance and theatre and generally in front of a live audience. The Jaguar Art of Performance Tour is all of the above but aptly presented, in vehicular format. In a very […]
What you need to know in the World of cars this February. URUS A super sports car soul and the functionality typical for an SUV. Introducing the Urus, the world’s first Super Sport Utility Vehicle. Produced by Lamborghini, the URUS opens up new possibilities both on and off road! What? Powered by both a jet […]
In cockney terms, a diamond geezer is a type of good bloke, a stand-up man, an all-round good sort… in other words, the Range Rover Velar. For as well as the Velar hailing from the UK, being a ‘bit of awright’, driving well and having some blinding good tech, it also comes loaded with diamonds […]
Pardon the pun but the ICE (internal combustion engine) has been getting quite the cold shoulder recently. Piston power and fossil fuel are being cast aside in favour of battery cells topped up by sunny days, flowing streams and wind chimes. Right now, it seems like the automotive world is on a quest for alternative […]
It’s been nigh-on one year since the Maserati Levante SUV hit the streets, and what an impact it has had on the brand; it’s been quite the transformation. A massive 35 percent of Maserati’s new sales last year were Levante, and they predict the figure to be 55 percent this year. What’s more, it’s not just movement inside […]
Heading over to Hong Kong to watch the Formula E was a breeze with Cathay Pacific. Flying over in business class is the definition of “life well travelled”.Born in Auckland, Mitch Evans is a very talented, trophy–winning racing driver taking Formula-E by storm. He’s already driven the Jaguar to its first-ever podium spot and has […]
The beauty of living in New Zealand is that we’re a pretty holiday friendly country. Be it a week away in the South Island, a weekend getaway to Ruapehu, or just a day trip out to the beach, the opportunities for adventure are endless. Take Kariotahi Beach as an example. Kariotahi lies outside Waiuku township, […]
Bringing you the ‘Shining Stars’ we discovered at the LA Auto Show. Mazda6 More style & more oomph The Mazda6 is the flagship of Mazda’s passenger car line-up and its improved styling looks to add greater maturity and composure to this popular sedan. With a refreshed exterior and a new high-grade interior that features Japanese […]
The opportunity arose to visit the Jaguar Land Rover Classic Works in Coventry, and I seized it with both hands. Not only would it give me the chance to pore over such iconic cars as the E-Type and Land Rover Series 1 , but it also came with the offer of being chauffeur driven there and back in a […]
As a kid, the coolest cat I remember was Top Cat or T.C to his close friends. Sporting a mauve pork pie hat and waistcoat, he and his gang of alley cats (Benny the Ball, Choo-Choo, Brain, Fancy Fancy and Spook), ruled Manhattan from their home base in Hoagy’s Alley, pulling high-jinx and tormenting Officer […]
Twice a year (March and September), the plane of the earth’s equator passes through the centre of the sun’s disk. The equinox, a derivative of the Latin word aequinoctium – Aequus/Nox (equal/night) is said to be when both day and night are equal. New Plymouth had an equinox pass through it recently. It wasn’t March […]
You’d have to have your head in the sand not to know that the world we live in undoubtedly has a few environmental issues, with one of the biggest culprits being our global population and, especially, where it chooses to reside. Estimates predict there will be nine billion of us by 2050 and although there […]
The Mazda VISION COUPE is a next-generation design vision model that showcases the ‘new elegance’ and draws upon Mazda’s long history of design. In creating the form of the body, the focus has been on stripping away everything that is unnecessary while bringing out the beauty of natural phenomena through exquisite, ever-changing patterns of light […]
BIG IN JAPAN – We took a trip to the Tokyo Motor Show at Big Sight events centre. Here are a few of our favourites. Toyota – Say-i The Concept-i integrates automotive technology with emotions (yes you heard that correctly). Using AI, Toyota is looking to turn cars from things into entities. Mercedes – AMG […]
Mazda’s Kodo (Soul of Motion) design language was first introduced to the world in 2010 in the form of the Shinari concept vehicle. The motivation behind this design ethos was, and very much still is, the ‘dynamic beauty of life’ and with its more muscular design characteristics, Shinari shows us that this form of motion […]
With the Laser Plumbing & Electrical HD 500 beginning to disappear in the rear view mirror, all eyes at Hampton Downs Motorsport Park are now focused on the summer. And with track days, driver training days, drift days and epic events such as Mad Mike’s Summer Bash and 4Guys Autobarn Legends of Bathurst, what a […]
First dates can be a nightmare – not the date itself (that’s a different story), I’m talking more about the pressure that surrounds it. It doesn’t help that the date is shrouded in anticipation (I assume from both sides) but if you’re the person organising it – trying to decide on the correct venue, whether […]
To catch a bullet in your hand or mouth takes skill and precision timing, or that’s what magicians and performance artists would have you believe. Of course, it’s a trick, but as a child, I used to watch in awe and wonder. What is not a trick, however, is the precision and timing that surrounds […]
As I am sure you smart people already know, Pomp is essentially a ceremony or display and Happenstance is a coincidence; on a recent visit to the UK both these words came together in spectacular fashion. Unfortunately, for many of us, I can safely say that riding in a Rolls-Royce motor vehicle is a very […]
When Ghostbusters hit the silver screen back in 1984, it began a franchise of near-Star Wars proportions – well it seemed that way at the time. The supernatural comedy, written by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis (they starred in it too) was essentially about three unconventional parapsychologists who started a business catching/busting ghosts. Bill Murray […]
Subaru’s 2018 Performance range (the all-wheel drive turbocharged WRX, WRX STi and Levorg 2.0 GT-S) has been dressed to impress. Mechanical and cosmetic modifications have muscled up the owner experience to new adrenaline-charged levels as the Rex pair add to their rally-backed reputation and the Levorg 2.0 GT-S cements itself in Kiwi culture as a […]
Vermicious knids are huge dark egg-shaped beings that live on the planet Vermes 184,270,000,000 miles away from earth and for some reason, they are the first things that came to mind when I drove BMW’s new M2 rocket ship. It’s obviously not their shape that made me think of them, it’s the ‘fact’ that they […]
The world was a very different place 50 years ago. Wilson and Johnson watched over the UK and the US, while we watched Evel Knievel jump 16 cars in a row (and then fail to jump the fountains at Caesar’s). Bond ‘Only Lived Twice’, The Beatles still topped the charts (and released Sgt Pepper’s) and […]
Mike Horn has circumnavigated the globe more times than a NASA satellite. He’s climbed to the top of numerous 8000+ metre peaks (without oxygen), walked unassisted to both Poles and all the way around the North one, swam the Amazon, played with sharks and piranhas and even had a lap dance from a polar bear. With […]
I vividly remember the first time I actually put skis on and hit (quite literally) the snow. I was in my late teens and full of bravado; I headed to the top of the chairlift, strapped on two planks of wood and shot down the slope – straight into a tree. The sensation was both […]
Since driving around the Isuzu off-road course at Fieldays earlier this year, both myself and my family were keen to get some additional time with their MU-X SUV. liked its capability, the wife liked its 7 seat versatility and my son liked the drop down 10.2” screen with DVD player – evidently it ticked all […]
In many ways, roadies are the unsung heroes of the rock industry. They are the people that truly put the show together (and take it on the road), they are the pack horses, the backbone of touring rock. They travel from town to town taking care of the ‘behind the scenes’ business, virtually unseen and […]
Range Rover Velar New Range Rover Velar, showcasing the next chapter in Range Rover design DNA. Progressive design, refined finishing and exceptional driving capabilities. Mercedes-Benz The Mercedes-AMG Project ONE is a high-performance hybrid said to produce over 1000hp and reach top speeds beyond 350km/h. The show car combines outstanding race track performance and day-to-day-suitable Formula 1 […]
Like many other New Zealanders, it’s around about now that I start thinking of my summer holidays. Where to go, where to stay, how to get there and what to do. There are so many options out there and, to be perfectly honest, even when we’ve agreed on a destination, pleasing the family in terms […]
As he was in town for Kea’s World Class New Zealander Awards 2017, I managed to grab a moment of Wrightspeed Ian Wright’s (the man behind the powertrain) time. Over the course of the past two decades, Wright has emerged as one of the leading minds of the electric transportation era. After co-founding Tesla Motors […]
Way back in 1955 two global superpowers, namely the US and Russia (USSR as it was back then), began a competitive fight to rule space. It started out with the US declaring it was ‘soon’ to launch a satellite into space, but the statement was received as a gauntlet and had the Soviet Union responding […]
There’s little doubt that Mercedes-Benz have a very impressive SUV line-up (well, vehicles in general, for that matter), boasting everything from the 5.5L V8-powered AMG GLS 63 (and, of course, the G-Wagon) to the all-new X. Large or small, and whatever the terrain, it would appear Mercedes-Benz have a seat that will take you where […]
It has be said (rather cruelly), that the best thing to come out of Swindon is the M4 (motorway). However, as I in fact hail from said city, (or is that sad city? … I jest), this should be proof enough that this is not true. On top of this, we have the ‘Magic Roundabout’ […]
There’s absolutely no doubt in my mind about the love that surrounds Alfa Romeo. Despite, or maybe even because of, its faults and quirkiness, it’s a brand that inspires great passion and desire. Of course, that’s not without just cause: both design and performance are there with abundance. Mind you, it’s fair to say that […]
Over the years, high-end European SUVs have been given the less than gracious nickname Remuera Tractors. Fitted with more bling than an American Rap artist, but with (if possible) less substance behind them, it’s easy to understand why. In truth, their general day-to-day use barely has them venture into a puddle or over a speed […]
When it comes to cars, the stories that surround them can often be as big as the marques themselves. However, our friends at Continental Cars – Porsche have an absolute doozy that we need to tell you all about. t’s a story of vision, it’s a story of dedication, it’s a story of passion and,...
Unless you have your head in the sand, it’s hard to ignore the seemingly overnight success of the fidget spinner. Virtually everywhere you look, kids (and adults too) have a little device whizzing around on their fingertips, and these ‘toys’ that come in various materials and a vast array of colours have become the must-have...
Cabriolets, soft tops, dropheads, open tops or convertibles, call them what you may, but for me, they always bring on a sense of fun, leisure and, when outside the confines of city walls, an all-important, fresh-air freedom. The simple process of removing a vehicle’s metal (or fabric) ceiling is like unlocking the shackles of life,...
In 1971, Don McLean penned the lyrics to Vincent. Inspired by a book he read, it is a haunting melody that is a tribute to the life of Dutch post-impressionist painter Vincent Van Gogh. The opening line ‘Starry starry night’ (the relevance of this I’ll get to soon) refers to the oil on canvas Van...
ROLLS-ROYCE ‘SWEPTAIL’ – An $18m COACHBUILDING EXTRAORDINAIRE With the 103EX, Rolls-Royce presented to the world a coachbuilding platform to inspire its future clientele. This Vision Vehicle envisaged a world of completely personal luxury mobility where new technologies would allow every Rolls-Royce to be designed in their owners’ image, should they wish. However, the mere idea...
“If you’re a golfer you join a golf club – we don’t like golf”… It was such a succinct analogy, summing up the Hampton Downs GT membership so perfectly that it could have come from the racetrack owner Tony Quinn himself (without the Scottish brogue or the hint of expletives of course). As the membership...
As you are undoubtedly aware, there are 12 signs of the Zodiac (Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces) and, depending on what you believe or read, wherever your birthday lands in terms of these signs will heavily dictate your own particular characteristics and talents. Of course, IMHO this...
Let’s face it, modern everyday life can be pretty busy. Between the necessity of work and the demands that come with family and friends, there seems to be so much pressure to do things. Time appears to be going by so fast (even speeding up) and very little of it is spent metaphorically speaking ‘silently...
Over easter; BMW invited me to Seoul to stretch the legs of their M-Sport range on the tarmac of its Driving Centre in Incheon, South Korea. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I sure wasn’t going to ‘passover’! For those of you that don’t know, here’s a brief history lesson. Officially founded on March 7,...
Lamborghini Passing by Italy any time soon? Why not go see Ayrton Senna: The Man and the Legend, a special exhibition at the Lamborghini Museum. Every race car ever driven by the champion will be on display, from his debut outing to his tragic accident, heightening the appeal of the Ayrton Senna: The Last Night...
