Nice to have you on board!
Road-Tests.com is the online connection to the automotive industry for private buyers, fleet operators and those interested in the round world of wheels. Our news content is updated on a daily basis and reviews on cars, commercials and motorcycles are posted every week.
We also invite you to subscribe (free) to receive our fortnightly newsletter via email, just in case you missed something.
Meantime, have a drive around our site, check out what’s hot and what’s not.
Read More
The new generation Porsche Cayenne is to be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show next week and it features a new sophisticated parallel full hybrid drive.
Cleaner greener....Porsche?
The Cayenne S Hybrid has fuel consumption in the New European Driving Cycle of just 8.2 litres/100 kilometres and CO2 emissions of just 193 g/km.
Led by the Cayenne S Hybrid, all models in the new generation are trendsetters in efficiency and performance in their respective segments.
Compared with the former models, fuel consumption is down by up to 23 per cent, since the new Cayenne, like every Porsche, has been developed according to the principle of “Porsche Intelligent Performance": more power on less fuel, greater efficiency and lower CO2 emissions.
These objectives result, not least, from the introduction of the new Tiptronic S eight speed automatic transmission with Auto
Kia Motors has provided a glimpse of the future of the mid-size, four-door sedan that will go on sale in New Zealand during in 2011.
Sexier mid-size sedans to come from Kia
An artist's view of the next generation Optima (Magentis), which is set to make its world debut at the New York International Auto Show in April, has been released.
The next generation Optima - known as Magentis in New Zealand – is longer, lower and wider than the current model, featuring a significantly longer wheelbase that delivers more space for the occupants and their luggage.
This is the third new design unveiled by Kia Motors in little more than a month. Two weeks ago, Kia showed drawings for its next generation Sportage (to be revealed at the Geneva Motor Show in March) followed by the showcasing of the electric/hybrid plug concept vehicle called the Ray, at the Chicago Auto Show.
"The rate
Sales of the Alfa Romeo Mito in New Zealand are set to make a significant advance with the launch of new Alfa Romeo Twin Clutch Transmission (Alfa TCT) at the Geneva International Motor Show and its arrival in New Zealand in the third quarter of this year.
MiTo goes auto with a twin clutch
“While the Alfa Romeo Mito has put in a solid performance for us in New Zealand since its launch last year its lack of an automatic gearbox has held back sales,” says Lawrie Malatios, General Manager for Alfa Romeo in New Zealand.
”This new gearbox will transform this situation. We will have a state of the art gearbox with the performance and fuel economy advantages of a manual and, thanks to the twin clutch technology, the refinement and ease of operation of full automatic. This intelligent technology fits seamlessly with the MiTo and we fully expect it to quadruple Alfa
The Toyota Motor Corporation President Akio Toyoda appeared before a U.S. Congressional Committee to answer questions concerning Toyota products sold in the United States.
Toyota's trials – independent investigat
Mr Toyoda advised the Committee that he was reorganising the company to streamline all quality decisions because the existing structure had not coped well with the huge pace of expansion in recent years, and added that this had resulted in lower quality which had affected some models, particularly in the North American market.
The challenges of globalisation and cross-cultural communication are a high priority for Mr Toyoda, who confirmed his commitment to the founding principles of Toyota: putting the customer first and ensuring safe vehicles of the highest quality.
Toyoda also noted there is room to improve the way information is shared between Toyota's regional
The PROTON Concept car, to be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, showcases an advanced series hybrid drivetrain, designed and developed by Lotus Engineering.
Geneva showcases alternative engines
The complete hybrid drivetrain in the plug-in hybrid PROTON Concept city car has been developed by Lotus Engineering and it includes the Lotus Range Extender engine, designed specifically for series hybrid vehicles.
Lotus Engineering has designed and integrated the complete drivetrain, including the electrical drive system with single-speed transmission, which delivers low emissions, optimised performance and acceptable electric-only operating range for city use.
For longer journeys, when the battery charge-level falls, the 3 cylinder, 1.2 litre Lotus Range Extender engine is used to replenish the charge in the battery and provide electrical power for the drive motors. The battery can
Citroen’s DS HIGH RIDER is the second concept associated with Citroën’s innovative and distinctively styled DS model line, which will make its New Zealand debut in August when the Citroen DS3 arrives.
Introducing Citroen's DS High Rider
The DS HIGH RIDER represents a bold and radical vision of the future, combining compact dimensions with generous internal volumes, dynamic performance, sophisticated style and consummate quality.
Unlike traditional 4-seater coupés, with their long, low design, the DS HIGH RIDER is compact and muscular.
Planted firmly on 19” alloy wheels, DS HIGH RIDER’s front end is purposeful with gaping air intakes, long incisive headlights and defined ridges along the bonnet.
DS HIGH RIDER is an expression of automotive luxury and elegance - exemplified by its glossy golden paintwork and brushed chrome trim that accentuate
No, the French have not suddenly discovered CB radios.
Reading you 5 by Peugeot
The unusually named 5 by Peugeot is a step away from the French marque’s numerical nomenclature, but then, maybe there’s nothing wrong with that.
The 5 by Peugeot concept reinterprets Peugeot’s history of large touring cars and unveils its ambitions in the market of luxury sedans.
Its flowing exterior design conceals Peugeot’s HYbrid4 technology, which will be launched in Europe on the Peugeot 3008 from 2011.
A 2.0-litre HDi diesel engine produces 120 kW and is mounted at the front of the vehicle. This is combined with a 27 kW electric motor at the rear. As a result, the concept car features an overall maximum power of 147 kW.
It also benefits from an electric-only mode at low speeds, four-wheel drive on demand, and low levels of fuel consumption and emissions (3.8
On to more conventional vehicles and it seems the Skoda Superb has been doing the beauty business overseas.
Top Gear UK's pick is the Skoda Superb
The Czechoslovakian flagship was voted the Luxury Car of the Year by Top Gear's TV, online and magazine teams.
Top Gear Awards recognise the most exciting and innovative cars launched in the last 12 months.
According to Top Gear’s magazine editor, Conor McNicholas, the Superb is a class act. “It’s in the ride, the refinement, the quality of the interior, the understated drama of the exterior – the Superb is all that, and in estate form it makes even more sense,” said the editor.
“For the well-heeled - or those of us who wish we were - the Superb Estate is a class act that really delivers. Don’t let the great price fool you!”
Domestic sales of new Suzuki cars in Japan have topped 20 million units in the wake of record demand for the marque in world markets.
Suzuki hits 20 millionth milestone
World-wide in 2009 Suzuki made well over twice as many motor vehicles as Mazda and three times as many cars as Mitsubishi.
In Japan Suzuki was second only to Toyota in car production last year, beating Nissan, Honda and Mazda.
“Suzuki made 2.38 million cars in 2009 which makes it a significant brand in world terms,” said Tom Peck, General Manager of Marketing for Suzuki New Zealand.
Suzuki has produced more than 40 million cars since the make’s first passenger model, the Suzulight, launched in October 1955.
This diminutive, 360 cc, two-stroke-engined baby car was a precursor to the small car expertise for which Suzuki would become famous.
Debut versions of the ubiquitous little four-wheel-drive Jimny in
Well the rumours are true, SsangYong has weathered the storms, slings and arrows of 2009 and is now back with a vengeance - and a raft of new models for 2010.
SsangYong sails in
With a rationalised dealer network in Auckland, Taupo and Queenstown, the twin dragon brand is hitting the market with a complete range comprising the Actyon ute, the Rexton and Kyron SUVs and the Stavic MPV, this time with All Wheel Drive.
Newly repowered engines, superior trims and very smart looks and attention to quality control are bonuses from SsangYong, which is taking on the newly landed Chinese product in terms of price.
In addition to the SsangYong range, the appointed dealerships are also representing the Proton brand which will be making more noise here later in the year.
