Ram has a new entry point, the Big Horn, and boy is it big! Or should we say long, what with its XL tray and extended cab. Pick-ups are good for a manufacturer’s bottom line, profit margins being thoroughly decent. And you can milk that success further by continuing to offer old models alongside the […] The post 2024 Ram 1500 Big Horn review appeared first on NZ Autocar ..read more

With plunging EV sales locally, a New Zealand manufacturer of EV chargers says it is crossing the ditch for greener pastures, according to an RNZ report. Evnex is a Christchurch-based firm that makes EV chargers for homes and businesses. Its principal Ed Harvey says with Australian EV sales on the rise, the company has a […] The post Kiwi Maker of Smart EV Chargers Looks to Aussie for Inspiration appeared first on NZ Autocar ..read more

Chevrolet has released its mighty Corvette ZR1 touting the most powerful V8 ever produced in America. Said engine is a 5.5-litre, twin turbocharged, double overhead cam, flat plane crank V8 called the LT7. It produces 1064HP at 7000 RPM (that’s 782kW) and 1123Nm of torque.  While performance times are yet to be verified, GM is […] The post 2025 ZR1 – the 1000 horsepower Corvette  appeared first on NZ Autocar ..read more

Not only will Renault’s new electric Twingo come in at under the £20k price point but it is expected to sell for under £17k. The wee city car will be built alongside the Clio at Renault’s Revoz plant in Slovenia. Evidently its two-year development cycle is one of the shortest yet for the French firm.  […] The post New Renault Twingo Undercuts $20k EV price point appeared first on NZ Autocar ..read more

Ducati has undertaken a full redesign of its Panigale V4, using tech and experience from Ducati Corse racing. Chasing improved performance, Ducati’s chief, Claudio Domenicali, released the bike during World Ducati Week.  The new Panigale V4 is akin to what WSBK racers ride, and it uses tech derived from MotoGP. The V4 S model weighs […] The post Ducati Panigale V4 Tweaked for More Comfort and Speed appeared first on NZ Autocar ..read more

Porsche is continuing with ICE and hybrid power for Cayenne beyond 2030. The brand’s most popular model will compete in the next decade with three distinct Cayenne powertrains. The German said it will continue with development of the third-generation Cayenne, which underwent a mid-life upgrade last year. It will sell alongside the forthcoming technically unrelated […] The post Porsche Steps Back from ICE Extinction appeared first on NZ Autocar ..read more

Motorsport action slows down slightly during the Olympic period but several Kiwis will still take on the world on four wheels this weekend. Hayden Paddon’s European Rally Championship title defence continues in Rome, with a stacked entry list of 90 competitors confirmed for the all-asphalt event. Rodin Motorsports’s Louis Sharp returns to the GB3 Championship […] The post Motorsport Diary: Kiwis racing overseas this weekend appeared first on NZ Autocar ..read more

The latest iteration of the BMW M5 Sedan we previewed recently. Now we know it will launch here in Q4 this year, and the price kicks off at $244,900. Into its seventh generation, this is the first M5 in its 40-year history with an electrified drivetrain. Total system output of 535kW and 1000Nm derives mainly from a 4.4-litre V8 turbopetrol that kicks out 430kW and 750Nm. The motor – integrated into the transmission – chips in with 145kW and 280Nm, though a pre-gearing stage effectively increases this to 450Nm. Power transfers to all four wheels via an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission a ..read more

Earlier this year we reported that Tesla’s Model 2 may be under threat. Now it appears that the smallest Tesla or project ‘Redwood’ is scheduled for production in H1 of 2025. And that’s from Tesla’s chief, Elon Musk. He confirmed this timeline during the company’s latest financial results call. He said “We postponed the Robotaxi product unveil by a couple of months to 10 October. And we’re also going to show off a couple of other things.” Presentation slides for investors revealed that Tesla’s most affordable model use elements of the company’s next-generation platform. It will also be built ..read more

The CEO of Toyota New Zealand has tendered his resignation. The T brand said “Neeraj Lala has been a pivotal part of our organisation for 26 years, serving four years as CEO, contributing significantly to our growth and success. “Most recently he has been instrumental in guiding us through the COVID-19 pandemic and associated global supply constraints, introducing our line-up of electrified product, proactive and transparent government advocacy, and maintaining a customer-focused approach throughout. Lala said; “I have loved every moment of my time at Toyota. My total working life of 26 years ..read more