NZ Autocar May 2025 issue is on sale now
The May 2025 edition of NZ Autocar magazine is now on sale and you can find it at all good magazine retailers. You can also subscribe to ensure you never miss an issue.
Find out what's in the May 2025 magazine below.
Looking for good value in the ute market? These three are up there with a solid spec-to-price ratio. But where should your money go?
The BYD Shark 6 is a plug-in hybrid ute with a small appetite for fuel. It has plenty of torque from its electric motors but can it pull like a bull?
Smart is back but not as you remember it. Here we check out both new entrants to the market, the #1 and #3.
Mercedes-Benz reimagines the G-Class for the electric age. Is the G580 the real deal or just a marketing special?
We try another take on the petrol/electric concept with the Leapmotor C10 Ultra Hybrid. What makes this different?
While overseas at the launch of the C10 we had the opportunity to drive Alfa's Junior hybrid. How did we find the 'Ibrida'?
Audi updates its S3 for another round. Does it still deliver the blend of sport and luxury we've come to expect of the badge?
The BMW M3 Touring Competition is brimming with power and potential but comes with a big price tag too. Can something asking much less, like the Skoda Octavia RS, do the same job?
Skoda Kodiaq is a European-sourced option in the large seven-seat SUV space. Is it worth the entry fee?
Cupra is expanding in New Zealand, and so is its line-up. That includes the recently facelifted Formentor. Is it still the compact crossover to covet?
Most people go large SUV for a seven-seater. But what say you need eight seats. MPVs like Carnival do the job better.
Dolphin comes in Essential and Premium guises. The former is $40k, while the latter gets a bigger battery and motor for $49k. Our EV sceptic checks out the latter and changes his tune.
The MG HS is the current holder of the Value Car of the Year Award. Now as a NZ Autocar long termer, we can delve deeper into its workings.
It's easy to forget Europe's Group 1 era of touring car racing. More restrictive rules meant machines were thought of as 'less exciting.' Nonetheless, this example of a Group 1 Ford Capri turned up in NZ to be restored to its former glory.
Thinking of a middleweight bike that masters mainly on distance work? Then Moto Guzzi's V85 TT Travel should be on the to-ride list.
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NZ Autocar
5 days ago
- NZ Autocar
2024 BYD Dolphin Premium Long Term
The BYD Dolphin is the brand's most affordable machine, an all-electric hatch starting at $39,990 for the Essential. That's $10k cheaper than when it first arrived here. The choice for buyers is whether to go for the Essential value, or pay extra for the $48,990 Premium. This more potent model has recently joined the NZ Autocar line-up, resplendent in its striking pink livery. The difference between variants is more than just specification. Essential comes with a 70kW/180Nm motor but the Premium has double the power, with 150kW and 310Nm of torque. That means 0–100km/h drops from a sedate 12.3sec to a brisk seven seconds in the Premium. Read more 2023 BYD Dolphin Extended review Of more relevance perhaps is the extra range you get with the Premium. The Essential offers a respectable WLTP driving range of 340km from its 44.9kWh Blade battery. Step up to the Premium, and you'll get a larger 60.48kWh battery offering 427km. DC fast charging also improves: the Essential supports up to 60kW, while the Premium can hook up to 80kW chargers. Both models are well specified with BYD's rotating 12.8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a full suite of driver assistance systems and V2L (vehicle-to-load) functionality. The Premium adds extras like heated front seats, wireless phone charging and a panoramic glass roof. There's also a suspension upgrade. Where the Essential uses a torsion beam set-up in the rear, the Premium switches to a multi-link arrangement for improved ride and handling. Upping the spend to the Premium seems justified in our eyes, given you get more than just a few extra creature comforts. The added power, range and dynamic boost are good value for the money. Our GM, Gavin Shaw, has been enjoying the Dolphin for the past month. With his weekly mileage amounting to around 350km, he is getting by with one fast charge a week. He says this takes around 40mins, and it is easy to monitor the process if you are not in the vehicle by using the app. After being an EV skeptic for many years, he has enjoyed the refinement of the power delivery and the ample power of the Premium. Equally impressive for him are the open road dynamics with controlled body roll in bends and a good ride on the highway. His only real bugbear with the Dolphin is the thick A pillar restricting outward vision at some intersections, especially when turning right. While not a fan of the colour combination, he is getting used to the constant comments questioning his supposed lifestyle choice. He says women love the colour combination however. After having spent the past few months being electrically motivated (he was in the Atto 3 prior to this) his view on EVs has changed somewhat. He says he has been pleasantly surprised, particularly as a die-hard enthusiast of petrol power. He reckons that anyone who is hesitant about the idea of an EV should experience one for more than just a quick drive around the block. He reckons the benefits, including the relative ease of refuelling at home, can only be realised with an extended test drive. BYD Dolphin Premium$48,990 / 15.9kWh/100km / 0g/km 0-100 km/h 7.0s Motor 150kW / 310Nm Battery LFP 60.5kWh Drivetrain 1-speed auto / FWD Range 427km
NZ Autocar
27-05-2025
- NZ Autocar
Peugeot to revive GTi badge with electric 208 hot hatch
A hot GTi variant of the electric e-208 will debut ahead of Le Mans 24 Hour race on Jun 13. New Peugeot boss Alain Favey stated recently that it will deliver a memorable driving experience. The last Peugeot GTI model available was the previous-generation Peugeot 308, sales of which ended in 2021. NZ Autocar reported earlier this year that a new GTi may be on the way. Favey recently said: 'I'm in a position to confirm that we will reintroduce the GTi on the e-208 as soon as possible.' He reckons that the new GTi is all about reconnecting to Peugeot's past. It will also link the French brand's road cars to its involvement in motorsport. Peugeot competes in the World Endurance Championship with its 9X8 hypercar. He continued: 'We want to continue to nurture the reputation of the brand for driving sensations'. An existing e-208 with roof racks. Favey has not ruled out other GTis, nor the concept of combustion engined or PHEV versions. He says it depends on customer demand. He told Autocar UK: 'We will start with the 208 and [are] definitely listening to your inputs, or what our customers will say as well. 'We don't exclude that there might be other executions of the 208 GTi under the GTi badge. But for today there's absolutely nothing planned in that sense.' The return of the GTi was one of his first priorities since taking over as Peugeot CEO in February. 2024 Peugeot 208 GT Hybrid Expect typical GTi flourishes, including red styling elements around the grille, wheels and badges. Up front a reshaped bumper with bigger vents and a splitter are likely. Typical upgrades include suspension stiffening, a wider track and uprated brakes. The new e-208 GTi will likely use the same powertrain as the Abarth 600e, which is based on the same e-CMP platform. That features a 177kW motor and a Torsen limited-slip differential up front. PSA suggests a sprint time of around 6.0sec. Both the Abarth and the Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce also feature a 207kW motor. That leaves room for a special edition 208 GTi by Peugeot Sport. With the e-208 GTi on the starting blocks, a similar version of the Vauxhall Corsa Electric is a possibility. However, Vauxhall has already confirmed plans for a hot Mokka GSE, using the Abarth 600e's powertrain.
NZ Autocar
24-05-2025
- NZ Autocar
2025 Mercedes-Benz G 580 Edition One Review
Modern electric vehicles usually share a few traits: sleek aerodynamics, a focus on weight-saving for efficiency and often a futuristic aesthetic to match their advanced drivetrains. But it seems Mercedes engineers thought, 'bugger all that' (or whatever the German equivalent is), and built the G 580 anyway. It's an all-electric take on the military-born Geländewagen. And we love them for it. The Mercedes-Benz G-Class has always been an automotive icon, first as a military-grade off-roader, and more recently as a luxury status symbol. Now it's entered a new era without losing its identity, the brand having kept all that is good about the vehicle – its cubic design, heavy-duty construction and off-road capability – while adding a huge battery and four, yes four, electric motors. We took this big white box for a spin; more about that later. Priced at a hefty $276,000 for the Edition One model (with a standard version coming soon at $231K), the G 580 is aimed squarely at well-heeled enthusiasts. Yet in the realm of six-figure luxury EVs, that ask isn't as outrageous as it sounds. It is a natural step up from the EQS 450, and around the same ballpark as the BMW iXM60 and i7. Yes, it is expensive, but they could have asked more. You'd be hard-pressed to tell the G 580 is electric at a glance. Mercedes hasn't meddled with the G's iconic silhouette. It's still a big, boxy brute with short overhangs, perched on a ladder-frame chassis. The form follows function for maximum approach angles and interior space. At just a bit over 4.5 metres long, it's not as gigantic as it looks; many modern three-row SUVs are much longer. The Edition One trim adds gloss black 20-inch AMG rims, black door handles, and subtle hints of blue (check the brake calipers and the rub strips along the flanks) to denote its electric heart. Our test unit was white – cue another fridge comment. There's no spare tyre hung on the rear door; instead you get a lockable 'G-Box' for charging cables. The overall effect is G-Class through and through;. It's chunky, retro and cool, with just enough EV-specific flair to set it apart for those in the know. Up front, the G 580 Edition One sticks with a traditional grille. Round LED headlights flank it, complete with LED rings and adaptive beams that can mask out oncoming traffic. Fender-mounted indicator lamps and exposed hinges give it that old-school charm and the doors still shut with a vault-like clunk. Being the first G-Class with keyless entry, you press a button and give the door a firm shove – it's like closing a safe. Slide into the G 580 and you're greeted with a blend of familiar G-Class ambience and new-age tech. The Edition One's cabin is draped in Nappa leather – a two-tone Silver Pearl/Black scheme with contrasting blue stitching and carbon-fibre accents. It mixes Mercedes' top-tier 'Superior' and 'Exclusive' design lines, making it feel every bit the flagship. The dash is thoroughly modern Mercedes, with dual 12.3-inch digital displays and MBUX interface but thankfully retains chunky vents and analogue toggles. There's even the classic grab handle for the passenger. For space, the G 580 is generous up front but a tad tight in the rear. That relatively short length means rear legroom is merely adequate. The cargo area offers just over 500 litres, expanding to nearly 2000 litres with the seats folded. Creature comforts are certainly not in short supply. The front seats are heated, ventilated and massaging, with memory settings and classic Mercedes door-mounted switches. Wireless charging, cooled or heated cupholders, a Burmester sound system, and ambient lighting round out the package. The MBUX infotainment system supports all the expected apps and features. Its 'Energising Coach' is a quirky touch for it plays music and massages you if it thinks you're drowsy. And then there's 'G-Roar', a synthetic V8-like sound that plays through the speakers. It's convincing enough to fool a passenger but can also be switched off for silent cruising. The surge is instant and relentless. In Sport mode, it feels agile for something so large – it really can dance for a big rig. Fire up the G 580 and you immediately sense this isn't an ordinary SUV. For one, there's nearly three tonnes of mass beneath you. Yet it proves remarkably easy to drive around town. Visibility is excellent, the turning circle manageable and a 360-degree camera makes parking a breeze. Ride comfort is plush with an underlying firmness. The G 580 glides over undulations but there remains a hint of that traditional G-Wagen jiggle. Body control is excellent and refinement solid. With four motors and a 116kWh battery, the G 580 puts out 432kW and 1164Nm of torque. Zero to 100km/h takes just 4.7 seconds. The surge is instant and relentless. In Sport mode, it feels agile for something so large – it really can dance for a big rig. Steering is numb but accurate, and the Edition One's performance tyres offer plenty of grip. Brakes (a mix of big discs and regen) inspire confidence. Motorway manners are also good. Adaptive cruise and lane assist are present but unobtrusive, and the ride is settled at speed. Wind noise is noticeable but not excessive given the shape. Of course, a G-Wagen must prove itself when the going gets rough. While we didn't head far off-grid, we have been off-road in the G 580 at a controlled test. Switching to Off-Road mode engages the full suite of traction aids. Each motor has a two-speed gearbox with a low-range ratio, and the G 580 has multiple drive modes and crawl control levels. With 250mm of ground clearance, short overhangs, and a 26mm thick carbon-fibre shield under the battery, it clambers over most things with ease. It can even wade through 850mm of water. The headline trick? A G-Turn. This allows the G to spin 360 degrees in place – one side's wheels rotate forward, the other side's back – activated with a paddle in a special drive mode. It's genuinely useful in tight trails and more than just a showroom gimmick. G-Steer also helps the big G pivot tighter by overdriving the outer wheels in a turn. It makes this 4×4 surprisingly nimble in tight off-road scenarios. With a De Dion rear axle and independent front, wheel articulation is excellent. Permanent AWD and power delivery to a single wheel help it conquer tricky terrain. The only limitation? Performance tyres and no tow rating – likely due to weight limits. With a big battery and brick aerodynamics, efficiency was never going to be a G 580 highlight. But Mercedes gave it enough juice to make it work. The 116kWh battery officially returns 23kWh/100km, for about 450–500km of range. Realistically, expect closer to 400km. Drive it hard or on the open road and usage can hit 30kWh/100km but most owners will charge overnight at home and use it around town. DC fast charging at up to 200kW gets you from 10 to 80 per cent in about 30 minutes. An 11kW AC wallbox at home will fully charge it overnight. The nav system can route via chargers, and the Mercedes me app handles charge monitoring and pre-conditioning. The Mercedes-Benz G 580 is, in a word, epic. This electric G-Wagen could have been a compromised tribute but it's not. It's the real deal. It combines classic G charm with cutting-edge tech. Performance is great, range is adequate, and the technology is awesome – all wrapped up in that unmistakable G-Wagen style. Where else can you find a vehicle that massages you on the motorway, then does a tank turn in the bush? Yes, most G 580s won't venture far off-road, but they could. Mercedes has electrified a legend without losing the plot. If you ever doubted an electric G-Wagen could be the real deal, this one sets the record straight. Mercedes-Benz G 580 Edition One$276,000 / 23kWh/100km / 0g/km 0-100 km/h 4.7s (claimed) Motor output 432kW Max torque 1164Nm Battery 116kWh Range 473km Drivetrain Single-speed auto / e-AWD Front suspension Wishbones / air springs Rear suspension Multilink / air springs Turning circle 11.3m (2.5 turns) Front brakes Ventilated discs Rear brakes Discs Stability systems ABS, ESP, TV Safety AEB, ACC, BSM, LDW, RCTA, ALK, AHB Tyre size 275/50R20 Wheelbase 2890mm L/W/H 4624 / 1931 / 1986mm Luggage capacity 555L Tow rating Not rated to tow Service intervals 12 months / 20,000km Scheduled servicing 3yrs / unlimited km Warranty 3yrs / unlimited km ANCAP rating Not yet rated Weight (claimed) 3085kg
