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The all-new Kia Sportage, which goes on public sale from October 1, will benefit from “very sharp” pricing that also takes into account the rise in GST. Prices start from just $33,990 + On Road Costs (ORC) for the Sportage 2.0 Urban LX model, which undercuts the pre-GST rise prices of all other CUV/SUV rivals on the market, including the smaller Mitsubishi ASX. The price also puts the new Sportage some $6000 below the equivalent Hyundai iX35’s current price. “It was always our intention to position the new Sportage competitively in the marketplace and we are delighted to announce that we have been able to follow through with our promise of very sharp pricing,” says Todd McDonald, General Manager of Kia Motors New Zealand. “Dealers have reported a phenomenal response to the new Sportage following the media unveiling a few
Kia reveals sharp pricing of the new Spo
A new survey has found that the most reliable car in the UK is not Japanese or even German, it’s Korean – a Kia to be exact. The Kia Picanto supermini, which has just topped a survey by Which? Car magazine to find Britain's most reliable motor. Achieving an impressive reliability score of 98.1%, the Kia Picanto beat off established rivals from Japanese and European brands to take the accolade. Which? Car is a quarterly magazine that focuses on both new and used cars, in a market dominated by magazines that review only new cars. It publishes an annual reliability survey based on the result of reports gathered from thousands of real-life owners and it is regarded as the most authoritative of its kind in Europe. The Kia Picanto topped the list for reliability amongst cars up to three years old and was one of the Top Five in the
Most Reliable Car Is Kia Picanto
Following the launch of the range-topping Alfa Romeo MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde (QV), the Italian car maker has re-positioned its prestige small car so that the new entry level MiTo is now powered by the 114 kW engine. The entry level MiTo is now powered by the new 1.4TB 114 kW unit, delivering its maximum power at 5500 rpm along with a maximum torque of 230 Nm at 3000 rpm, which enables it to accelerate from 0-100 kmh in just 8.0 seconds and reach a top speed of 215 kmh. Around town, drivers can achieve 8.5 l/100 km, while motorway journeys and the combined cycle are 5.3 l/100 km and 6.5 l/100 km respectively. The Alfa MiTo is fitted with 17” alloy wheels while inside, the Mito features sports cloth upholstery and sports dials with white illumination and a carbon fibre effect dashboard. The MiTo comes with the Blue&Me hands-free system with
The new Alfa Romeo DynaMiTo!
Toyota’s had mixed fortunes at the auction rooms, according to Turners Auctions. The Corolla has come in as the top selling car at auction, continuing its sales lead which it has held for the past two quarters. Between 1 January and 30 June 2010, just over 20% of Turners’ vehicle sales were Toyotas – a resurgence after Holden’s Commodore dominated sales in 2009. But in a twist of fortunes for Toyota its ever popular Hiace model, which has consistently ranked high in the top 10 most popular models sold, has dropped out of the top 10 altogether during the April to June 2010 period. “These results may be an indication of consumer sentiment towards Toyota shifting slightly due, in part, to the massive world-wide recalls they had to carry out earlier this year – but who’s to know?” says Todd Hunter
Corolla creams Commodore, but Hiace hit
Ford's performance Focus
Ford New Zealand has put its Focus on performance, with the recent announcement that the company is importing 10 very special hot hatches.
Due here in late August, the limited edition Focus RS MP350 models are even more tricked up than the performance RS nomenclature suggests.
The hot hatches will also feature Ford-approved Mountune Performance upgrades, which boost power to 257kW and deliver a torque output of 460Nm.
For those who want more than mere numbers, the Mountune Performance package includes a larger tailored high-performance alloy intercooler, a new Mountune-designed high-flow airbox, high-flow exhaust downpipe, Mountune uprated fuel delivery module, and a revised engine calibration for the already potent 2.5-litre Duratec RS engine.
The upgrade will come fitted to the ten New Zealand Focus RS vehicles as standard and is covered by
Psst! Wanna save 5K off a new van?
With businesses doing it tough right across the country, everyone needs to watch every dollar spent.
Fiat has come to the rescue to help stop red ink splashing across budgets and accounts by cutting $5000 from the prices of its award-winning Fiat Ducato van range.
Prices now start with a recommended retail price of just $54,990 plus on road costs.
Lawrie Malatios, General Manager of Fiat in New Zealand says “It can quite often be a false economy keeping an old, high mileage van on the road, what with poor fuel economy, increased maintenance costs and the strain on employees of driving an old van.
“That old van may, also, no longer be the right size, which means carrying around empty space or having to do two or more trips when a bigger van could do one economical delivery.”
The Fiat Ducato is powered by two of the most advanced and
Following on from the successes of the ix35 and the newly released i45, we’ll be seeing the i20 from Hyundai here very soon.
Doctor, doctor - who's this new MD?
In true to form timeliness however, details have been released of yet another Hyundai model, not yet released in Korea, coming out ahead of what we know will soon be here.
The as yet unreleased vehicle is coded the MD, which is a pretty ‘blah’ moniker.
From what we can determine, this is the new Elantra, though given Hyundai’s obsession with i-nomenclature, it’ll probably get another name soon enough. In Korea, the model is recognized as an Avante, by the way.
So what’s to know? This is a new compact which incorporates Hyundai’s ‘Fluidic Sculpture’ design philosophy which is best demonstrated in the i45.
Taking the ethereal/elemental design philosophies inside the car, Hyundai
The idea of upgrades to specification without upgrades to price seems to be the way of the world for many manufacturers these days, and Mitsubishi has joined the distinguished list of car makers following this philosophy. Trying hard not to eclipse the soon-to-be-available ASX Crossover, Mitsubishi has quietly snuck in the 2011 Lancer line up, also available in August Pricing for the Lancer line has remained unchanged, starting at the ES 2-litre model from $27,990 and ranging out to $39,990 for the 2.4 litre VR spec with CVT. Given the lack of a price hike, you might be wondering exactly what the Mitsi magicians have done to upgrade the car and the answer, cosmetically speaking, is very little. In fact, larger side air dams are the big noise on the sportier VR and VRX models, and that’s about it. Of course, what Mitsubishi is shouting about is
Shh, Lancer goes quietly into 2011
Jaguar’s range topping sports sedan, the all new XJ, arrives in New Zealand next month. Sleek, sporty, and sophisticated, the all-new Jaguar XJ brings a daring new spirit to Building on the success of the exciting XK and XF models the introduction of the all-new XJ is a landmark for the revitalised Jaguar brand. Clearly positioned as the company’s four-door flagship, it extends the appeal of the XJ to a new generation of customers. “The new XJ is a thoroughly modern interpretation of the quintessential Jaguar. Its visual impact stems from the elongated teardrop shape of the car’s side windows, that powerful stance and its wide track. It is the most emphatic statement yet of Jaguar’s new design
Jag's New Sexy XJ Arrives Soon
automotive luxury - it offers a seductive mix of striking design, breathtaking performance, and engineering without compromise.
The Hatchback has Evolved On the crest of an all-new QASHQAI design for 2010, Nissan New Zealand announces the arrival of a 7-seat family wagon version, dubbed QASHQAI+2. Based on the innovative QASHQAI hatch concept, the QASHQAI+2 makes its debut in New Zealand mid July. Nissan moved the goalposts again, introducing the stylish family wagon, the QASHQAI+2, with more space and a flexible seven-seat configuration and adding even more strongly to the appeal of the new QASHQAI range. QASHQAI+2 combines the best of both three-row people movers and the family hatchback with none of the drawbacks. So it enjoys the driving dynamics, ride comfort and refinement of a finely tuned hatchback with the added benefit of the practical interior of a bigger car. But what it has that MPVs and hatchbacks don‟t have is a striking, attractive exterior and interior design. At the same time
QASHQAI +2
The Great Wall V240 single cab is now on sale across New Zealand complete with air conditioning, alloy wheels, power steering, remote central locking, CD player and power mirrors for a class leading $19,990. That is not a misprint, nineteen thousand nine hundred and ninety dollars drive away, for a highly optioned cab chassis ute. The V240 single cab is also available in 4x4 for $22,990. Your choice of deck or tray can be fitted prior to delivery, as an optional extra. “The twin cab V240 has proven to be extremely reliable and very popular with a wide range of customers over the past year,” said Ric Hull, managing director of Ateco Automotive the importer and distributor of Great Wall in New Zealand. “We are optimistic that this very keenly priced single cab V240 will be embraced just as enthusiastically.” Standard safety features on the
Great Wall - New Single Cab
