Omoda Jaecoo has announced its new rank as the fastest-growing automotive brand in the world, setting new standards for excellence and innovation with a highly competitive fleet. The Chinese automotive giant announced their latest sales figures at the 18th annual Beijing International Automotive Exhibition (25 April – 5 May 2024), with Omoda Jaecoo global sales volume exceeding 160,000 units – the fastest ever for an automotive brand in just one year. The announcement is based on both market expansion results and sales data released during the conference in China. It took the two brands ..read more

Whether it’s one of seven or a straight out HOT one, Mercedes’ new GLE is sure to have a seat that fits. The (optional) seven seat GLE 450d and the AMG 63 S SUVs have just landed in New Zealand and as luck would have it, Merecdes-Benz gave us both to try. The first GLE off the block for us to test out was the 450d 4Matic and the timing was perfect, as not only is it always a good time to drive a new Mercedes, but we also had a couple of airport runs on the calendar, which meant all seven seats were required. The GLE has its roots nestled firmly in the M-Class of ‘97, however, it didn’t becom ..read more

Following the sold-out successes of the Bacalar and Batur, the third Mulliner coachbuilt Bentley of the modern era is on the way. With an unveiling set for the 7th of May, this third creation is the latest product from the oldest name in coachbuilding. Only 16 examples of this highly exclusive vehicle will be made with each tailored to the wishes of the brand’s clientele. Even more special is the powerplant employed for this particular car. It’s Bentley’s famous W12 but this will be its final version and the brand describe it as “its most potent iteration”. Thanks for reading! For more Bentle ..read more

To celebrate the arrival [in Australia] of the most performance-focused model in the Z range, the Z NISMO took on one of the country’s most challenging and exhilarating hill climbs – Lake Mountain. Lake Mountain is one of Australia’s most-celebrated roads, and a favourite for performance-car testing, owing both to the number and variety of corners along its 20km length. Climbing from Marysville in Victoria to the top of the Cathedral Range State Park, it’s also a road that could have been tailor-made for the Nissan Z NISMO, with demanding tarmac, challenging corners and plenty of surfaces fo ..read more

The Renault Symbioz joins a proud line of family cars, almost 60 years after the launch of Renault 16 with its spacious and functional design, and 40 years after the revolutionary Espace, an adaptable vehicle just 4.25m long but able to carry seven people. Launched in 1965, the Renault 16 was designed to stand apart from the competition, premiering a new body style with hatchback access to the boot. More versatile than any of its contemporaries, Renault 16 included a bench seat with a ‘holiday travel’ position. It met the needs of families looking for a car that suited their lifestyles, while ..read more

Once in a generation a new Aston Martin powerplant arrives to shift the ultra-luxury paradigm and today we reveal just that in the shape of a fearsome new V12 engine. Aston Martin has committed to continuing its 25-year bloodline of V12-engined flagships with a technical masterpiece and a true leader in its class. A showcase for exceptional in-house engineering ability it is a defiant defender of emotional engagement, promising visceral performance for those who understand the direct route to a heart-pounding drive. With 835PS and an extraordinary 1000Nm of torque the new V12 engine is unmatch ..read more

The unconventional challenger brand has unveiled the new CUPRA Formentor and CUPRA Leon, redesigned and enhanced to continue the success story. The new CUPRA Formentor arrives to build on the great success the Crossover SUV has already achieved. The CUPRA Formentor is the company’s bestseller and becoming an icon of the brand. In a competitive A-CUV market, it topped the sales charts with 120,100 deliveries worldwide last year (+23.0% vs 2022).  Strong results for the first vehicle uniquely designed and developed for the brand. The new CUPRA Leon delivers a strong character in both 5-do ..read more

There has been a seemingly endless stream of fun being poked at BMW’s most powerful M-Sport creation, the XM SUV. From its polarising design to whether a PHEV should wear an M-badge. But I’m here to say that despite its A-Team van looking profile, the BMW XM Label Red is quite simply, outstanding. Limited to just 500 units worldwide, the XM Label Red is a unique powerhouse in the automotive world. Positioned as BMW’s most potent SUV, it takes the throne as the brand’s mightiest creation to date, showcasing unparalleled performance and luxury elements.  Manufactured in Spartanburg, North ..read more

 Polestar and fast-charging battery pioneer StoreDot have successfully demonstrated the implementation of StoreDot’s Extreme Fast Charging (XFC) technology in a car for the first time, charging a Polestar 5 prototype from 10-80% in just 10 minutes. The fully driveable verification prototype saw a consistent charge rate starting at 310 kW and rising to a peak in excess of 370 kW at the end of charging.   This world-first demonstration of a 10 minute 10-80% extreme fast charge using silicon-dominant cells in a driveable vehicle – rather than individual cells in a laboratory environmen ..read more

The Ford Ranger is designed to explore the road less travelled and get filthy dirty in the process. But leaving your Ranger covered in mud, salty sand or drenched in sea water after a weekend away off-roading isn’t a great idea. From pre-soaking the underside of your Ranger to rinsing off salt water, cleaning the engine bay and everything in between, here’s what you need to know about cleaning your Ranger after a dirty weekend. Pre-soak to shift mud – If you’ve been off-roading anywhere muddy then there’s a good chance your Ranger will have mud caked up inside the wheel arches, the chassis and ..read more