Richard Bosselman

3 weeks ago | motoringnz.com | Richard Bosselman

Details revealed a week ago are validated by national distributor - and, as tipped, prices have climbed. FIVE heading out, six coming in - and all new Subaru Forester choices for New Zealand cost more than their predecessors. The biggest hit is at entry level, with a $5000 hike between the cheapest incoming configuration of the sixth generation car and the least expensive current base choice.

3 weeks ago | motoringnz.com | Richard Bosselman

It’s not just that we no longer like hatchbacks - going crossover also allows for better range. COMPELLING price, potential for truly budget operability and conviction it could meet daily needs have likely fuelled why Nissan Leaf has been so popular - but not the hatchback shape. So suggests the maker, in relating today reasons why the new model which is ramping up to a full international release has gone to a crossover design in its third generation.

3 weeks ago | motoringnz.com | Richard Bosselman

PASSENGER and light commercial vehicle sales activity in May suggest the market has yet to regain momentum, yet returns have still heartened the industry. Aimee Wiley, chief executive of the Motor Industry Association - the representative body for most new vehicle distributors - says the overall registrations count for a month in which the Ford Ranger dominated as the strongest buy-in, with 1051 registered, was also just 65 units up on he result for May, 2024.

3 weeks ago | motoringnz.com | Richard Bosselman

Engineering for plug-in configuration inhibits useful rural and worksite configuration, conversion is not advised. PLUG-in hybrid Ranger formatting to the logically most useful workplace and farm format - as a flat deck - doesn’t seem to be on Ford’s radar, and the make seems to be cautioning against that kind of conversion. Even fitting it with a canopy might not be prudent, some outlets suggest. This emerges from reported conversation from senior involvers in the PHEV project.

3 weeks ago | motoringnz.com | Richard Bosselman

It’s the one M3 that seemed less likely to be built. So brilliant that it’s here. How much: $196,600Drivetrain: 3.0-litre twin turbo petrol straight six; 390kW/650Nm, eight speed automatic. How big: 4801mm long; 1903mm wide; 1446mm tall. Like: Supernatural traction; gifted handling; minimal premium over M4 coupe and M3 sedan; a belting all-rounder for a rarefied market segment. Not so much: Expensive (but that’s M); likely to be a fleeting opportunity; hard ask for pooches.