How did we get to the point where Christmas decorations are starting to appear in the shops again? The end of the year has a way of arriving faster than expected. The calendar fills up, the to-do list grows, and somewhere between the school holidays and Christmas dinner, the car tends to get forgotten. Right […]
A garage can be a place where potent machinery sits in the dark, waiting for an infrequent weekend. Some owners store their own collections, some access the best vehicle via clubs. A new partnership in Auckland brings those two worlds into the same space. A while ago I covered MotorShare – the club providing a […]
Well, isn’t this a little treasure? Lotus is the ultimate sports car formula: small, light, fast and fun. “Lightness” was the catch-cry of Colin Chapman, founder of Lotus; it helped him win many Formula One victories. The Emira typifies this fabulous form. With compact dimensions, rear-wheel drive, and a mid-mounted engine, it is masterfully packed. […]
The Ferrari Amalfi has many good numbers. 3.9 Litre 90-degree V8 twin-turbo with 470Kw and 760 NM from 3,000 to 5,700 rpm and it will spin to 7,600 driving through a 8-spd DCT for a 3.3 seconds 0 to 100 sprint, and a 320kph vmax. It’s 4.6 m long with a 2.7 m wheelbase, a […]
Turns out the best way to understand a supercar’s four-wheel drive system is to point it at a frozen lake in Inner Mongolia and see what happens. While most of us were going to work and pretending to care about interest rates, a handful of lucky New Zealanders were halfway across the world in Yakeshi, […]
I had the honour of joining Ferrari for two events at Casa Ferrari at the Melbourne Formula One Grand Prix. Situated on the main straight – the view was stunning, as was the hospitality. Thursday night cocktails made quite the event, especially when you are joined by F1 team boss Fred Vasseur, and seven-time world […]
Cadillac is the newest team to join Formula One, making 11 teams and 22 cars on the grid. F1 is a very sophisticated operation these days, an elite franchise with restricted entry. How the most famous name in American luxury autos made it to the startline is an interesting story. Italian-born and USA-based Mario Andretti […]
It started with a question from Sony in 2017. They wanted a car for the new Gran Turismo. McLaren answered with the Vision GT, a digital monster where the driver literally lay in it like a motorbike. Millions played the game. Then a group of customers asked the factory to build it as a real […]
Greg Murphy is one of the most approachable motorsport superstars. The four-time Bathurst winner is a similar age to me; I saw him at the Nissan Mobil 500 Wellington street race back in the 90s. That was before he became famous, but even when he was on the podium, he had his feet firmly planted […]
Petrol is now over $3 a litre. That’s only happened a handful of times in living memory, and each time it does, the same conversation starts up again: how do we stop being so dependent on the stuff? Three bucks is expensive in anyone’s book, and with pump prices this unpredictable, the case for electrification […]
Well, isn’t this a little treasure? Lotus is the ultimate sports car formula: small, light, fast and fun. “Lightness” was the catch-cry of Colin Chapman, founder of Lotus; it helped him win many Formula One victories. The Emira typifies this fabulous form. With compact dimensions, rear-wheel drive, and a mid-mounted engine, it is masterfully packed. […]
Visiting McLaren headquarters represents a special opportunity. It is closed to the general public so access requires time and connections. Security guards monitor the entrance and expect the arrival of scheduled visitors. A map guides the path across the area. Driving a Mini Cooper along English lanes didn’t prepare me for the massive estate. The […]
While the rest of the car industry is busy trying to convince you that a luxury experience is best delivered by a whisper, an app, and the gentle hum of something that sounds like an air conditioning unit, Mercedes-Maybach has decided to do something magnificent. It’s built a tribute to the V12. Not “a nice […]
It is easy to like the Corvette E-Ray, the performance hybrid version of the Stingray Boasts 369kW and 637Nm from the mid-engined 6.2L LT2 V8 engine. But wait there’s more… 119kW and 169Nm from the front axle combine to provide a staggering 488kW and 806Nm. Yes, this is the first four wheel drive Stingray, and […]
Cyberpunk is the gristly bit of science fiction that stopped waiting politely for a clean utopian future and instead dragged it into a rain-soaked alley behind a neon-lit convenience store. The term is generally traced back to Bruce Bethke’s short story titled “Cyberpunk,” published in Amazing in November 1983, and the genre’s rulebook was effectively […]
The pinnacle of automotive performance is an ever moving target and with McLaren’s racing heritage, the challenge is fundamental to the brand. Following the legendary F1 and the paradigm-shifting hybrid P1, the company faced the huge task of writing the next chapter. The result is the W1, a vehicle conceived not merely to be fast, […]
I’m sitting in the Corvette Z06, the angry older brother of the Stingray. This has a 500 KW (670 hp), 5.5 litre flat plane crank V8. This LT6 configuration with titanium internals has a red line of 8600 RPM and it is the most powerful naturally aspirated V8 ever fitted to a production car. This […]
Engineer Henry Royce set out to create the pinnacle of luxury car experience in 1903. His passion soon attracted the sales and marketing talent of Charles Rolls. Together, they launched the Rolls-Royce Motor Company, and now, 122 years later, the brand defines the ultimate car experience and the very definition of quality itself. The ultimate […]
The G580 has the same character of the G63 gas burner, the same retro brick-inspired exterior look, the same interior, if somewhat updated, it even almost sounds the same with the V8 inspired mumbly grumbly soundtrack that can be mistaken for the real thing. I’m actually sold on this artificial sound. It gives you genuinely […]
Driving a 12-cylinder, 830-horsepower Ferrari is good on any day, but testing it on the Southern Hemisphere Proving Grounds on ice has to rate as one of the top vehicle experiences possible. With a massively powerful, rear-wheel-drive, ultra-expensive car, you don’t always think of putting it on a bed of ice and snow. It doesn’t […]
Always a brand that’s uniquely recognisable, and with such status, it was right at the top of my hit list when planning to experience the British car industry. The Goodwood Festival of Speed was already on the books so the cherry on the top was an invitation to spend a day in their Aston hospitality […]
The first impression of the BMW X7 is its size. It is not small, in or out. It’s a genuine seven-seater with a robust physical presence. The second thing you notice is the comfort, the large seats – space abounds. The third thing you notice is the effortless luxury of endless leather, Alcantara and more. […]
The Oxford plant has been building cars since 1913 in the same spot, and it’s built everything from the Morris Oxford Bullnose to models for brands as diverse as Austin, Rolls-Royce, Range Rover, Honda based Triumph models and MG. In many ways it’s been the heart of local automotive production lines. English car manufacturing may […]
Formula 1 is an octane and ego fuelled sport, so that makes New Zealand driver Liam Lawson a breath of pretense free humble air. In the days before the Visa Cash App RB driver prepared for the unique Baku street circuit, I had a Zoom call with him to understand what powers his journey at […]
Cooping, thatching and wainwrighting; all great skills we used to be expert in once upon a time – but ask anyone to make a barrel, straw roof or wagon today and you’re more likely to get blank stares than quality products. The sad truth is; we just don’t need those skills anymore so we’ve let […]
The G wagen is beautiful brick, barely changed in appearance since 1979. Scarcely a more iconic vehicle on the planet, it’s now a cultural icon, the ultimate gangster whip, while gracing the pages of luxury magazines like this one. Designed in a time before aerodynamics, and not reviewed since, it’s not destined for a race […]
There is absolutely no hiding that this car is enormous in just about all ways It’s long, it’s wide, it’s quite tall, it’s unbelievably powerful, and it’s heavy. The 2025 edition of the M5, often regarded as BMW’s halo car, this bona fide barnstormer is fast, potent and muscular, and rides like a dream. The […]
You drive a Cadillac because you’ve made it, and you want people to know. It’s a great, big, comfortable car. It’s a fast, yet cool, calm, status piece. You’d love to be picked up in this if you’re an international artist, being taken to your gig, being ferried around town between red carpet events – […]
Recently the Giltrap Group gave us our first local look the brand new Lamborghini Temerario. France was home to it’s international reveal and what a reveal it was. “The Temerario stands out as the new benchmark supercar within the HPEV range. Paris, the capital of creativity and avant-garde, was the ideal stage for this premiere.” […]
Only a couple thousand Delorians ever got made, of that number only a handful are knocking around New Zealand, last count from a decade ago pegged it at about 14 registered. Now these local DMCs really have the opportunity to go back to the future of 2015 and get outfitted with electric drivetrain systems by […]
At Octane Logistics, we know your vehicle is more than transport—it’s an investment in design, engineering, and heritage. Our bespoke, fully enclosed car transport service is trusted by collectors and enthusiasts who demand precision and care at every step. We combine modern equipment with a dedicated team who understand the value of craftsmanship. Whether classic, […]
Carbon fibre, titanium, a redesigned lightweight body with high levels of reliability. These are all things you’d want in a top tier F1 racing machine and it’s everything you’re getting in the brand new Tudor Black Bay Chrono Carbon 25. Tudor knows it’s way around a racetrack. They’ve been designing watches for competitive driving since […]
For 50 years, the BMW 3 Series has been the backbone of BMW’s model lineup and the standard-bearer of what a compact executive sports sedan can and should be. In New Zealand, it has remained the highest-selling BMW of all time. And what better way to celebrate this longevity and success? Well, the release of […]
Handsome looking inside and out, you can tell this M3 Touring Competition means business, yet it’s hard to tell just how good it is until you drive it. The interior is very similar to the M4, featuring tons of carbon and leather and low-reflective surfaces. Both the driver and passenger seats offer heating and ventilation, […]
Recently the Giltrap Group gave us our first local look the brand new Lamborghini Temerario. France was home to its international reveal and what a reveal it was. “The Temerario stands out as the new benchmark supercar within the HPEV range. Paris, the capital of creativity and avant-garde, was the ideal stage for this premiere.” […]
Carbon fibre, titanium, a redesigned lightweight body with high levels of reliability. These are all things you’d want in a top tier F1 racing machine and it’s everything you’re getting in the brand new Tudor Black Bay Chrono Carbon 25. Tudor knows it’s way around a racetrack. They’ve been designing watches for competitive driving since […]
Bertone first introduced it’s Autobianchi Runabout back in 1969. What a head turner, with it’s wedge shaped design and shoulder mounted headlights. Now over 50 years later it’s back as the first model in the Bertone Classic Range. Bertone first introduced it’s Autobianchi Runabout back in 1969. What a head turner, with it’s wedge shaped […]
There’s something fascinating about the current phase of electric vehicles. Everyone’s racing toward the future, but no one’s quite sure what it’s supposed to feel like. Some carmakers are stripping things back to monk-like minimalism. Others are leaning into cyberpunk excess. But Lexus is doing something different. They’re asking: what if the future still felt […]
BMW loaned writer and explorer Tim Warren an M4 competition to explore rural Victoria in Australia. Exciting plans mean a 5:45am Monday morning Airport trip. Auckland to Melbourne is a route I’ve taken more than 50 times, it’s virtually a bus trip and passes quickly as I consume 4 episodes of House of Dragons. On […]
Photography By Nabulen Ignacio There’s something extraordinary about this Taycan 4s Cross Turismo. It feels like a Porsche. It’s all electric, yet you barely think about it. Power delivery is like a smooth sports petrol engine. And while there’s no rumbling exhaust note, driving just feels like a Porsche even though it’s an EV wagon. […]
It’s easy to forget just how radical the original iDrive was. Back in 2001, when most cars still had cassette slots and enough buttons on the dashboard to rival a Boeing 747, BMW looked at its flagship 7 Series and thought, “What if we got rid of most of this?” What followed was a seismic […]
As Chief Strategic Officer and Vice President of Mobility, Lexus and Motorsport at Toyota New Zealand, Andrew Davis has been a key figure in Lexus’s rise as one of the country’s fastest-growing premium automotive brands. Over nearly two decades with Toyota, his leadership has helped guide Lexus through a period of rapid transformation, marked by […]
Let’s get the obvious out of the way, this is an extremely pleasant place to be. The car welcomes you like a prince into unlimited luxury. Understatement is the name of the game here, it’s a classically British car which wraps brawn with exquisite tailoring. Beautiful stitched leather integrates seamlessly with alcantara and combination of […]
The SL has long been Mercedes ultimate Boss car. It’s lineage is as long as it is storied, with the 300 SL being near universally hailed as one of the greatest cars ever made, contributing to the fact it is the most expensive car ever sold – an immaculate condition SLR racing version recently sold […]
You aren’t the driver the world needs, you are the driver the world deserves (as you crush two lanes of traffic). Just like American cops, the modern revival of Batman got militarised when he got his now iconic Tumbler, a military style two man APC. Currently people are able to secure their very own Tumbler […]
Jaguar’s making a massive pivot, it’s old logo mark has been turfed just in time to use a similar font to what Pepsi was using up until a few months ago. It’s repositioning itself as a high-priced luxury EV killing off the majority of it’s lineup to a single model, the F-Pace SUV. If you […]
The Aston Martin Vantage V8 is an event. More than virtually any other car I have driven. Aside from its staggeringly gorgeous looks, the trim and finish puts it among an exclusive set of cars exhibiting ultimate luxury and ultimate performance in a single exclusive package. Starting with the looks, it is simply one of […]
Unmistakably a Range Rover, handsome from every angle, the Sport it embodies the brand’s gravitas. The D250 SE features a 3-liter, six-cylinder turbo diesel delivering 165 kW and 600 Nm of torque with a refined burble reminiscent of a petrol engine. On road it’s sprightly and effortless; off-road it shines with capability. This blend makes […]
Toyota has launched the Hakone edition of their sports car, the GR86 using the 86 GT as the base car. You probably know that GR is short for Gazoo Racing, and is the indication of the highest performance of each of Toyota’s models. The 2025 GR86 Hakone, with only 15 units available in New Zealand, […]
The Toyota land cruiser Prado has been around through many iterations since 1990. The last major upgrade was 2009. Now with a new model, new chassis and new design, Toyota is keen to show the motoring world what the new Prado can achieve in a range of conditions. Bring on two days of diverse driving […]
When you fly to Queenstown for a launch event, you know it’s got to be something special. The natural location is beautiful, and Lexus matched the hospitality to the location, lodgings at Gibbston Lodge, discovering Ben Bayly’s Aosta in Arrowtown, and visiting Te Kano Vineyard and Winery and Edgewater, all beautiful locations in themselves. Yet […]
Rolls-Royce has always been the ultimate in bespoke luxury, but with the Lunaflair, they’ve taken their obsession with detail to a whole new level—one that borders on the cosmic. Picture this: you’re staring up at the night sky, and there it is—a halo around the moon caused by light bending through ice crystals high up […]
Rolls-Royce is a common feature in Bond films, appearing 12 times across the franchise now sixty years on from the 1964 James Bond film Goldfinger we’re still thinking about the Rolls-Royce Phantom III. We appear to not be the only ones because Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has unveiled a one-of-one Phantom Extended that pays homage to the […]
The Chevrolet Corvette is an icon of American motoring, with a rich legacy of performance, innovation, and racing heritage. Yet the brand is little known in New Zealand due to the previous lack of right-hand drive. But that’s changed now with the whole Corvette lineup s—the Stingray, the Z06, and the new E-Ray—each offering blistering […]
Okay, so how’s your experimentation with electric vehicles going? Ah, so you’re still driving a hybrid huh? Well, you and many others it’s fair to say as hybrid sales have been up big time over the last few years – culminating in a staggering 69% increase here in New Zealand between 2022 and 2023. Far […]
The Range Rover Evoque hybrid is a sorted car. It’s compact it’s easy to get around but it brings that measure of luxury of the status of a quality brand. The model we drove is a plugin hybrid and I’ve only got praise for its driving characteristics sending the power of a 1.3L turbo to […]
Rolls-Royce, in a stroke of what can only be described as automotive couture wizardry, has rolled out the Ghost Prism. A limited edition, 120-unit tribute to the brand’s 120th birthday. And it looks like the party began with a particularly avant-garde game of Twister to choose the color options. The Ghost Prism comes in Gunmetal […]
You probably will have noticed by this stage of the magazine that this is the Year of Dragon. While Swiss watch brands have done a pretty good job of a bit of horological celebration, Rolls-Royce has entered the stage with a loud mic drop and four magnificent fiery beasts to pay a serious nod to […]
Tesla is well…. Tesla. Different. And now that Tesla is just a little bit better. I had the privilege of attending the launch of the updated Model three. Model three is the mass market car, that car that the Model S and X paved the way for. The one that’s attainable and affordable and it’s […]
This year The House of the Trident revealed the Maserati GT2 at the legendary 24 Hours of Spa in Belgium. This marks the return of Maserati to GT competitions, after previously carving a name for itself with the MC12 dominating from 2005 to 2010. This beast has been built for private teams and gentleman drivers, […]
Bugatti, the purveyor of all things fast, luxurious, and jaw-dropping, has taken automotive performance to the next level with the Bolide, a track-only hyper sports car that puts the “hyper” in hyperbole. First teased as a wild idea in late 2020, the Bolide is now roaring to life, with the prototype entering the next phase […]
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars have unveiled the Black Badge Wraith Black Arrow, a limited edition of 12 cars worldwide, marking the end of the production of one of the most transformative models in the marque’s history. As the last V12 coupé the company will ever make, this Bespoke masterpiece is a fitting tribute to the Wraith […]
The Revuelto is the newest offering from Italian automaker Lamborghini, and it’s really not your average supercar. It’s also hybrid by the way and it is a long, long way away from your average hybrid also. Apparently, when Lamborghini does electric motors, they like to bring in three of them and then combine them with […]
The Ferrari 812 GTS is a special vehicle but for one Ferrari collector, it just needed a little bit of something else. Enter the Ferrari SP51, a very one-of-a-kind vehicle that draws on the best of Ferrari past and present. Commissioned by one of Ferrari’s most loyal collectors in Taiwan, the SP51 is a V12 […]
The Bugatti Chiron Profilée has made history by becoming the most valuable new car ever auctioned. Sold for a staggering 9,792,500 euros net at the RM Sotheby’s auction in Paris on February 1st, the Chiron Profilée is a one-of-a-kind piece of Bugatti history and the last W16-powered car available directly from the atelier in Molsheim, […]
Lamborghini has revealed two special edition vehicles, the Invencible Coupe and Auténtica Roadster car as a farewell to Lamborghini’s naturally aspirated V12 engine and the Aventador platform. They are the final examples of a breed of supercars that are becoming increasingly rare in today’s market. For enthusiasts who appreciate the power and sound of a […]
One of the most recognisable mascots in the automotive world, actually just the world is celebrating its 112th anniversary this year. Originally called the “Spirit of Speed,” the Spirit of Ecstasy was first introduced in 1911, appearing on the radiator cap of a Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost. The mascot, which is a symbol of luxury and […]
Ever seen a really cool vehicle in a racing game and wanted to drive it in real life? Obviously, the designers at McLaren Special Operations had because they have turned what was a radical McLaren concept vehicle originally created for the virtual racing world in Gran Turismo into a real-life track-only hypercar and there’s not […]
Ferarri has celebrated its 30th anniversary of having a presence in mainland China in the most appropriate manner by unveiling a one-of-a-kind Ferrari Roma Tailor Made. The new Ferrari Roma draws inspiration from traditional Chinese aesthetics and craftsmanship and pays tribute to the brand’s milestones over the past three decades in China. The unveiling of […]
Choosing a birthday present for someone you care about can be tough, especially when they turn a decently round number. Spare a thought then for Bentley then when Brussel’s Motorshow turned 100 this year. Just what do you get for a Motorshow that has it all? Luckily though Bentley had a couple of very special […]
The creative team behind the video promo for the 2023 Lamborghini have been really getting into dirt. In fact according to the very deep voice over “dust is gold, dirt is for the bold”. This ode to the off road is accompanied by shots of a snowboarder caving down the side of desert cliffs and […]
There’s something freeing about an open-top roadster. The wind in your hair, the feel of the sun, the smell of the open road. Hollywood has latched onto the concept also and once you have escaped with the money and got the girl of your dreams, you ride off into the horizon while the audience gets […]
There’s something romantic about the concept of the Grand Tourer, a vehicle designed to help liberate you from the shackles of the day-to-day routine and allow you to explore the open road in comfort, style, luxury and some pace to go with it. The concept of grand touring, or GT, dates back to the 1950s […]
Is there a surgeon in the garage? Well yes. Bentley has unveiled a one-of-a-kind, bespoke Flying Spur Hybrid at its pinnacle evening event during Art Basel Miami. The unique car was created by Bentley’s in-house personal commissioning division, Mulliner, in collaboration with “The Surgeon,” a leading figure in the custom shoe industry known for his […]
The Aston Martin Vantage F1 Edition is a new high-performance version of the popular Vantage sports car that has been produced as a celebration of the company’s return to Formula 1 after more than 60 years and what a way to celebrate. Developed based on the Vantage’s role as the Official Safety Car of Formula […]
The other day, via the magic of that great culinary archive, YouTube, I was watching a Michelin star Italian chef put together pasta aglio e olio, which just has to be one of the simplest utilitarian Italian meals there is. It basically means pasta with olive oil and garlic – no more, no less. Not […]
Founded in 1963 by fellow Kiwi, racing car driver and inventor, Bruce McLaren, the McLaren Brand has always paved the way for worldwide high-end automobile technologies to come to the forefront. Since its humble Grand Prix beginnings from Bruce’s little Austin 7 Ulster, to the much more modern Grand Tourer released in 2019, McLaren has […]
Ah Ferrari. It’s almost the default brand that comes to mind when you hear the term ‘sports car’. That hasn’t happened by accident; it’s the product of 81 year track record in designing some of the most desirable luxury cars ever made. It makes sense then that they’ve drawn from that history in designing their […]
Bentley Mulliner has just made their most powerful car to date, and you’ll probably never see it in real life, let alone give it a test drive. Costing in the ballpark of US$1.95m all 18 of this limited run supercar have already been sold. Not surprising consider some of the buyers already own the previous […]
The illustrious Colorado event, Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, started all the way back in 1916 by Mr. Spencer Penrose. Throngs of car lovers have since enjoyed either spectating or participating in battling up the 20km stretch of gravel, complete with its 156 sharp turns. Only the bravest drivers compete. At this year’s Pikes Peak, […]
For some people, their word is law – so, with them, a promise made is a promise kept. One such person is Charles Rolls; better known as the man whose name is half of the legendary marque Rolls-Royce. Back in 1900 Charles had an enthralling vision; an electric version of these new-fangled motor vehicles he […]
Last time the Rolls-Royce Boat Tail graced our pages, it was for the custom coachbuild that was rumoured to cost upwards of $28 million and delivered to Jay-Z and Beyonce. We’ll never know for sure, unless Jay-Z is caught at the traffic lights with that beautiful machine but the Rolls-Royce Coachbuild team has been busy […]
As far as exclusive car brands go, Rolls-Royce takes the cake. But if you want your exclusivity just that bit more exclusive, you’ll be pleased to know that there is a Rolls-Royce Bespoke division. We talk to Gavin Hartley, the Head of Bespoke Design about the growth of luxury personalisation, how one-on-one customer relationships are […]
One of the greatest series of cars to launch into the Geneva International Motor Show this year was Rolls Royce’s Bespoke cars. All the way from their headquarters in Goodwood, West Sussex, the car brand is renown for accessorising the look and feel of luxury. First off the racing mark is their Phantom Tranquility, which […]
As I raced around the corner from a tar seal road to a metal road the back of Rolls-Royce’s latest model, a Super Luxury SUV, swung out, I’d clearly taken it too fast, but before I could even think to correct, the four-wheel steering system took over and I was back in control. While, this […]
New Zealand boasts a rich history of names in the realm of motorsport – Chris Amon, Bruce McLaren, Possom Bourne, Greg Murphy, Scott Dixon and Mitch Evans are just a selection of names in the NZ motorsport pantheon. While Kiwi drivers have had success across a variety of motorsport competitions and rulesets, there is one […]
