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
Hundreds of motorcycle and scooter riders are gearing up all around the country for the 'MTA Motorcycle and Scooter Ride to Work Day' on Friday 12 February 2010.
Ride to Work Day
'MTA's Motorcycle and Scooter Ride to Work Day' was launched last year by the Motor Trade Association (MTA) to demonstrate the fast growing popularity of this form of transport and to celebrate what is becoming a way of life for many thousands of New Zealanders.
This year 'MTA Motorcycle and Scooter Ride to Work Day' events will take place in six regions across the country and, in most regions, local mayors and MPs will attend the event, with a number of organised activities including free breakfast snacks, great prize draws, giveaways, and information on rider training. MTA spokeswoman, Ana Zandi, says 'MTA Motorcycle and Scooter Ride to Work Day' is all about having fun, acknowledging and celebrating the
Kia Motors will preview the next, third generation Sportage - due for release in New Zealand later this year - at the Geneva Motors show in early March.
Kia To Preview 2011 Sportage
The bold, visually dynamic styling of the 2011 model Kia Sportage is augmented by the increased size of the SUV that comes with more rear space and a larger passenger area.
New Sportage will also share key technology with its larger sibling - specifically the hi-tech, European-developed R-series Common Rail Diesel engine that is winning acclaim around the world for its extraordinary performance, fuel economy and refinement.
Due to the success of the Urban series, new Sportage will have 2WD or 4WD running gear, providing the customer with more flexibility and options.
Kia Motors technical centre at Frankfurt in Germany has designed the R-series to be a family of advanced, environmentally-friendly power plants for
BMW Group New Zealand has announced pricing and engine variants for its eagerly anticipated new BMW X1 compact premium Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV).
BMW X1 pricing announced
Starting from $56,900 for the manual transmission, entry-level BMW X1 sDrive18i, the BMW X1 opens an entirely new segment in the compact premium lifestyle category.
Strong international demand to date, and its anticipated appeal in New Zealand, has led BMW Financial Services to give the X1 the strongest residual values of any BMW.
BMW Group New Zealand Managing Director, Mark Gilbert said the “extremely sharp” pricing and lease rates for the new BMW X1 would attract new customer groups to the BMW brand.
The BMW X1 is the smallest member of the BMW xDrive family, blending the ride-height, load-space and practicality of Sports Activity Vehicle with a compact, stylish, sports wagon.
The car has
Six months of stable fuel prices have given consumers the confidence to venture back into the large car market, according to figures released by Turners Auctions.
Consumers opening wallets to buy big car
The report reveals that consumer demand on the auction floor has seen the average sale price for cars in the 3.0 litres plus category, reach a two-year high of $13,434.
“For the second quarter in a row, demand has upped the prices Kiwis are willing to pay for a large car. Our last report showed an increase of $4,000 from the 2nd quarter of last year to around $12,000 by the 3rd quarter.
“Since then, the average price for a large car has gone up by another $1,400, highlighting that consumers are continuing to buck the trend of cautiousness,” says Todd Hunter, Turners spokesperson.
Hunter thinks part of this is due to market conditions, which he describes as being under-supplied
Volvo Car Corporation has introduced an all-new four-cylinder 2-litre GTDi (Gasoline Turbocharged Direct Injection) engine in models of the S80, V70 and XC60, offering great performance and efficiency all in one.
Volvos new turbo tech engine
New Volvo-developed turbo charging technology, direct injection and twin variable camshafts give a unique combination of low fuel consumption, low emissions and high performance across a wide rev range - all in a particularly compact format.
The new petrol engine, the 2.0 GTDi, produces 149 kWs despite its compact size and cylinder capacity. It pumps out 300 Nm of torque from 1750 rpm for a refined driving experience.
Says Magnus Jonsson of Volvo: "A Volvo S80 with this engine and automatic transmission consumes just 8.3 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres."
"By combining direct injection and Variable Valve Timing with our new patented turbo system,
Record sales of Mazda3 have helped Mazda New Zealand kick start 2010 achieving its best ever January result with a market share of 8.6 per cent and a firm hold on fourth place in the market. Mazda’s momentum with Mazda3 sales continues into January, which saw the highest number of Mazda3 sales to date, with 305 units making the vehicle the fourth most popular for the month across all new vehicle segments. “We couldn’t have asked for a better start to the year,” said Andrew Clearwater, managing director, Mazda New Zealand. "We are cautiously optimistic about the new vehicle industry in 2010 and our focus is now on maintaining momentum over the coming months.” Mazda’s other core models also performed well in January with the CX-7 all- wheel drive crossover achieving its strongest sales month since September 2008. The
Mazda3 drives record month for Mazda
The Kia Soul urban crossover is in line for the ultimate motoring accolade – the World Car of the Year Award – after being selected as one of just ten finalists for the 2010 contest.
Kia Soul For World Car Of The Year
Additionally, the Soul is has also been nominated as just one of four finalists for World Car Design of the Year, with the winners of both awards to be announced at the prestigious New York Motor Show at the beginning of April.
The Soul made the lists following a secret ballot of 59 distinguished international motoring journalists representing 25 countries, including New Zealand.
The news has delighted the Kia Motors in New Zealand, where general manager Todd McDonald says: “Just to be nominated for the best car in the world is a staggering achievement and caps an enormously successful year for the Kia brand.
“It has caused a great deal of excitement among our
EuroNCAP has never done it before, but all its crash test data for 2009 has recently been compiled and the safest car for the year, according to the strict crash test regime employed by EuroNCAP, is the Volkswagen Golf.
Volkswagen Golf is Safest Car of 2009
Golf scored a total 103 points in test results and this took into account the ‘new and improved’ test parameters, established early in 2009.
The original testing program – in place since 1997 – only assessed frontal impact, side crashes and pedestrian protection.
In 2009, the regime was upgraded and Golf was re-tested, this time performing well in Occupant protection of adults, protection of children, pedestrian protection and supporting safety and driver assistance systems.
This last is a new category which highlights features like Electronic Stability Programs (ESP), ABS brakes with brake assist, anti slip regulation
The Nissan X-Trail is popular and well-established in New Zealand, boasting distinctive styling, intelligent 4WD ability and two proven drivetrain options. With the New Year the X-Trail is further enhanced with upgrades across the entire range.
X-trail updated for 2010
The X-Trail range now features four models: two petrol and two diesel engine variants. Petrol models feature a 2.5L four cylinder engine producing 125kW of power and 226Nm of torque, with drive transmitted via Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) featuring 6-speed manual mode.
Diesel models share a 2.0L four cylinder turbocharged engine producing 110kW of power and an impressive 320Nm of torque. Drive is via 6-speed automatic transmission with manual mode.
Every X-Trail includes Intelligent All-Mode 4x4-i, which allows the driver to select 2WD, variable-split 4WD which redistributes torque
Ford Australia's award-wining Territory SUV has received the maximum five-star safety rating in the latest round of ANCAP (Australasian New Car Assessment Program) testing.
Territory Achieves 5-Star ANCAP Safety R
The five-star ANCAP safety rating applies to the entire Territory range from January 2010 production onwards, following the addition of a front passenger Beltminder™ as standard equipment.
The front passenger Beltminder™, along with the driver Beltminder™, reminds both front seat occupants to fasten their seatbelts once the vehicle begins to move.
"The Territory has maintained a reputation as one of the safest vehicles on Australian roads since it was first introduced in 2004," said Ford Australia President and CEO, Marin Burela.
"It was the first locally-manufactured vehicle to be fitted with an electronic stability control system, as well as side curtain airbags and a
