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Volvo unveils V60 Plug-In Hybrid
Volvo Cars will unveil its new V60 Plug-in Hybrid at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. It says this is a virtually production-ready car with carbon dioxide emissions below 50 g/km and boasting an average...
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BMW Touring Aust roads
BMW says its new, fourth generation BMW 5 Series Touring is now available in Australia. The 5 Series Touring is offered in two models. The entry-level 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel 520d Touring...
View ArticleFuel-efficient Cruze hits streets
HOLDEN HAS unveiled its new locally-built Series 11 Cruze sedan range that includes what it claims is the most fuel-efficient car built in Australia. Two new sports models, Cruze SRi and range topping...
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Fun for all in French people-mover
RENAULT HAS unveiled its R-Space concept car at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. "Sporty and sculptural," the R-Space has innovative interior design "catering for everyone on board," the maker says. Power...
View ArticleMondeo ‘eco’ 2L delivers more
A NEW Ford 2L 4-cyl. engine intended for its global vehicle line-up will far out-perform the 2.3L engine it replaces. The Ford EcoBoost 2L GTDi first powered the European S-Max and Galaxy models, then...
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Fewer stones pierce hooves
TRIALLING A Tuchel Eco 1.8 tractor-mounted sweeper six weeks ago convinced dairy farmer Dave Hobday, New Plymouth, he should consider buying one. His 110ha property has old concrete races that tend to...
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Euro brand pitching a ‘freshen-up’
FRENCH CAR maker Renault, said to be number-one in France, wants a bigger slice of the New Zealand market. Its new Fluence sedan, Megane hatch, Megane coupe-cabriolet and Koleos SUV are "ingenious,...
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Affordable SUV serious contender
CHRYSLER IN New Zealand last month launched its Jeep Patriot, promising "an affordable compact SUV with segment-leading capabilities and unsurpassed 4x4 fuel economy. It also has new "aggressive"...
View Article‘Sumptuous’ Jaguar set to wow
JAGUAR HAS introduced upgrades across its range of 2012 models at the New York Motor Show. The XF sports sedan has received powertrain updates to improve performance and economy and a new interior look...
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Torque up in upgraded farm utility
HIGHER TORQUE is achieved by variable hydro transmission VHT Plus2, new in the Kubota RTV900XT farm utility. This is the latest version of Kubota's RTV900 workhorse. Towing and hauling is better, so is...
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Global ute less prone to trailer sway
THE SWAY and snaking that can happen to a vehicle/trailer combo is less likely in the new global Ford Ranger ute, says the company. Trailer sway – a trailer swinging from side to side – can quickly...
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Hat-trick drive
RICHARD MASON last week won the Hawkes Bay Rally and with it his third national championship in his Subaru WRX STI. The Masterton driver, with co-driving wife Sara, had the day before finished...
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Ranger new ‘from the ground up’
FORD'S NEW Ranger – designed "from the ground up" – is in the showrooms in 2WD and 4WD, developed to meet the needs of New Zealand ute and light truck customers, the company says. Managing director...
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Geraldine champ burns Spanish tar
KIWI RALLY driver Hayden Paddon recently set more fastest-stage times in the production class at the Rally of Spain, though he had to be content with eighth in the class. Paddon, from Geraldine (his...
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Ute wins 5 stars for safety
IN AN historic 'first' for a utility, the new Ford Ranger has gained a maximum 5 Star rating under the Euro NCAP crash test protocol. It scored 89% for overall safety, one of the highest scores...
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Ford crossover in ‘titanium’
A NEW Euro-made crossover is now arriving on Ford dealers’ yards: the Ford Kuga, available in a range-top ‘Titanium’ edition priced at $53,990 (RRP). “A great performance-driving experience here in...
View ArticleNifty French marque making global comeback
RENAULT IS storming the globe, selling 2,722,062 vehicles worldwide in 2011 (increase of 94,697 or 3.6% over 2010) and claiming "true worldwide brand" status. Outside Europe it made 43% of its sales in...
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‘Formidable’ coupe
JAGUAR'S COUPE, the XK, has a higher luxury specification for 2012 and includes a new top-of-the-range XKR-S with performance described as "formidable" for a Grand Tourer coupe and convertible. In...
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Friendly face for capable truck
THE SMILING corporate face of Mazda on the front of a ute makes a bold statement. Not everyone has found it a comfortable mix, the curvy swoops that are Mazda's signature look melded onto the more...
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Side by side in 4x4
FARM UTILITIES new this month include CB Norwood's CF Moto Z6, a 600cc, fuel-injected side-by-side and a UTV – a utility 4x4 machine with a tipping deck, powered by a 500cc engine. These will be...
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