A refreshing highlander

  For some, a Highlander is a rugby player from the deep south, to others, an 80s fantasy film starring Sean Connery. To Toyota, a Highlander is a mid-sized SUV, and a big seller.     For 2021, the Highlander has been refreshed for the fourth time, with a recent launch in Auckland and Paihia […]

Defying the limits

  Your pulse is racing. You’ve managed to figure out how the butterfly doors open so at least you can slide into the McLaren GT.   You have been shown the button that raises the vehicle in case you need to go across a judder bar or up an angled driveway without tearing off the […]

Storm the Palisade

Big seven-to-eight-seater luxo SUVs are fast becoming the cash cow of many automotive brands. This is the Palisade, Hyundai’s spearhead at this segment.     The turbo diesel engine in my Limited felt very strong and eager to get going. Keep it between 1600 and 4000rpm, and you make brisk progress despite the girth. The […]

Celebrating stirling service: Kendal Vehicle Services

Kendal Vehicle Services; Burnside’s Auto Super Shoppe has been servicing northwest Christchurch now for over 25 years having just celebrated its big 25th plus one birthday in April (delayed due to Covid-19).     Business Manager Carol Bradley has been at the helm since 1995, and her tight-knit team lives and breathes everything automotive. With […]

Ring to fix that ding: RO Jones Panelbeaters

No one likes to be in this situation. You are driving along minding your own business and suddenly wallop! Someone has hit you from behind. Or maybe you were feeling under the weather and didn’t see that letterbox when backing out of your driveway. Either way, it is going to leave a mark or two. […]

Classy Euro Cars: Christchurch European

The journey from street side to the main office goes something like this. BMW X5s on the left, Range Rover Sport on the right. A few steps forward. Wow, Porsche 911 in front, Audi RS6 at the rear. Finally, to top it all off, a yellow Lamborghini Gallardo and bright red Ferrari F12 soaking up […]

New look, same quality service: Honda Cars

Honda Cars Christchurch has been part of the Christchurch inner city landscape for over three decades. Residing in the same place on the corner of Montreal and St Asaph Street, shifting only once across the road briefly after the 2011 earthquake, has been New Zealand’s biggest volume Honda dealer.     The showroom was given […]

Lost your keys? Access Lock Specialists Ltd

The way we keep our cars locked up, secure, and still in our driveways, has changed dramatically within the last 20 years. Two men who know this are Roger Barriball and Richard Nind, who established Access Lock Specialists Ltd in 2007.     At this time, laser cut transponder keys and keyless entry into vehicles […]

Beaming all the way

If you are a car enthusiast, the BMW M Town is the ultimate in driving experiences; a global event that has BMW devotees fizzing at the opportunity to experience all elements of the new releases. As Metropol’s motoring writers, Ben Selby and I were lucky enough to be invited to Hampton Downs Racetrack near Hamilton […]

This is no old goat

Prior to Subaru New Zealand’s marketing campaign for the new Outback, I am ashamed to admit I hadn’t realised what the acronym GOAT meant. It does of course mean, ‘Greatest of All Time.’ With the new Outback, Subaru claims it is the GOOAT. So, is this the ‘Greatest Outback of All Time’? Let’s see.   […]