New Cars Road Tests

Road Test: Mazda RX-8 Spirit R

OVERSTEER ROAD TEST: Mazda RX-8 Spirit R The last gasp from the now-iconic Mazda RX-8 may well, in reality, be the last rasp from the truly legendary rotary engine, despite Mazda’s highest hopes and best efforts. We take a look at the final special edition of the RX-8 to see if it still spins our […]

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New Cars Road Tests

OVERSTEER COMPARISON: Three Camrys. Sort of.

OVERSTEER COMPARISON: Toyota Aurion Sportivo SX6 vs Toyota Camry Hybrid i-Tech vs Toyota Camry Atara SX So you have a lazy 50-odd grand lying around and want to drop it on a top-of-the-line Toyota sedan? Well then you have a choice – namely two Camrys and a Camry-based, V6-engined alternative. We look at the options […]

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New Cars Quick Drives

QUICK DRIVE: Audi Q3

OVERSTEER ROAD TEST: Audi Q3 2.0TDI quattro Audi’s baby SUV blends A3 size with Q5 looks, which sounds a bit odd. And let’s face it; it does look a bit odd too. But how does it drive? We spend a few days with one to find out. White is not the Audi Q3’s best colour. […]

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New Cars Quick Drives

QUICK DRIVE: Toyota Avensis Wagon

OVERSTEER ROAD TEST: Toyota Avensis Wagon There hasn’t been a Camry wagon for some time now; the Avensis is the car that has filled that gap, but does it deserve to be as relatively anonymous as it is? We take a quick look and decide. The Toyota Avensis is essentially what passes for a Camry wagon these […]

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New Cars Road Tests

Lexus LFA. Almost a drive…

The day started with much promise. We were attending the launch of the Lexus GS and had spent the previous afternoon thrashing each of the new models around the Hampton Downs race circuit, followed by a fancy dinner and a night in the luxurious (but slightly odd…) Sarnia Lodge, just out of Cambridge. At dinner […]

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New Cars Road Tests

ROAD TEST: Range Rover Evoque Dynamic SD4

OVERSTEER ROAD TEST: Range Rover Evoque Dynamic SD4 The smallest Range Rover ever (or should that be so far?) has recently worried the bearded, wooly knitted hat-wearing traditionalists by daring to be modern. Is it all style and no substance or can the Evoque give the boring gits something to stick in their pipes? We […]

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New Cars Road Tests

ROAD TEST: Toyota Land Cruiser VX Limited

OVERSTEER ROAD TEST: Toyota Land Cruiser VX Limited The latest incarnation of the Toyota Land Cruiser VX Limited maintains the model’s formidable off road ability, while adding to its ever-increasing on road prowess. “I know what this is!” cried the smart-arsed blonde as she walked past the massive white Toyota Land Cruiser I was climbing […]

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New Cars Road Tests

LONG TERM TEST: Hyundai i40 Elite

Spending a few days motoring around Auckland in the Hyundai i40 may not be the best way to get an idea of how economical its 1.7-litre four-cylinder diesel engine actually is. It is still relatively decent, returning mid-to-high 8’s in terms of litres per 100km, but after a bit of typically shit Auckland traffic and […]

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New Cars Road Tests

ROAD TEST: Honda CR-Z

OVERSTEER ROAD TEST: Honda CR-Z Honda has looked back to its past for the new CR-Z, resurrecting the spirit of the classic CR-X for what could potentially be the most exciting Honda in years. Hondas used to be exciting. Even the boring ones like the Civic. Honda gave us VTEC engines that revved up to […]

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