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Understated Mitsi makes an impression
The latest Outlander from Mitsubishi has a softer, more conservative look than its predecessor. The panels seem less angular by flowing into one another and the jagged edges seem to have been removed....
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More features, more grunt for Amarok V6
The VW Amarok has always had a following of ute buyers wanting something different from the norm. But it was resisted by some who saw the 4-cylinder twin turbo engine, with 132 Kw and 420 Nm torque, as...
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Revamped Ranger a truck not a tractor
Looking out the front window of the Ford Ranger Wildtrak as you cruise along it's easy to forget you're driving a ute, not a luxury SUV. The leather interior, the wealth of technology like adaptive...
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Indian powerhouse impresses on price, quality
Any way you look at it the Mahindra numbers are impressive: 500,000 vehicles a year, 200,000 employees, $US17 billion turnover and $US1 billion cash in the bank. We're looking at Indian powerhouse....
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Top ute on charge
The Mitsubishi Triton has obviously caught the eye of New Zealand’s ute buyers, as it sits in the top three in the sales league tables for this class of vehicle. Those who are undecided might get a...
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Keep it all under cover
A new, easy-to-use cover for utes that doesn't require holes drilled into the bodywork will be taking pride of place on the Toyota, Isuzu and Volkswagen vehicles at this year's National Fieldays. Best...
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Vitara turbo gets up, goes
High demand is anticipated for the new Suzuki Vitara Turbo soon to be launched in New Zealand. The vehicle is expected to build on the success of the normally aspirated five door SUV introduced in late...
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Want to make that a large one?
Utes are big business in New Zealand, making up around 25% of the market, and seen from Ponsonby to Papatowai and all points in between. Talking of big, they don't come much bigger than the latest RAM...
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Jeep 75 years young
Jeep is celebrating 75 years of 4x4, military history and outdoor adventure in 2016 and to mark the event, Jeep New Zealand has launched commemorative versions of the Wrangler, Cherokee and Grand...
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Living up to its big reputation
At a recent vehicle launch I mentioned to a fellow journalist that I was getting the Volkswagen Passat Alltrack to test and he replied "you'll enjoy it". That might be a worry because he's a...
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Keeping the legend running
Rural News staffers all wanted a ride in the bright yellow GT that Ford loaned us for a week. Kids as young as eight or nine recognised it: "That's the new GT!" Even the old dear drinking tea out front...
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The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport is really rather good!
Recent years have brought a raft of SUVs underpinned by offerings from their makers' utes. One such vehicle, the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, has the DNA of the Triton ute and quite simply is among the...
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Side by side in 4x4
FARM UTILITIES new this month include CB Norwood's CF Moto Z6, a 600cc, fuel-injected side-by-side and a UTV – a utility 4x4 machine with a tipping deck, powered by a 500cc engine. These will be...
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Facelift boosts ute’s appeal
SSYANGYONG HAS given its A200S Actyon Ute a much needed and deserved facelift. A much more attractive front has been grafted on and, to be fair, the vehicle now, with its ‘family’ face, looks much...
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Nice car, but don’t lose the keys!
You wonder how the marketing people in the motor industry come up with new model names. For example, the Volkswagen Touareg name originates in the name of the Tuareg people of North Africa, pastoral...
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RAV revs up for continuing success
Now entering its 21st year since the launch in 1995, the Toyota RAV 4 has graced the yards or driveways of 28,500 buyers and retains its dominant stake in the competitive SUV market. Eight times since...
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Now that’s a ute!
A few days driving the MY17 Holden Colorado made it plain to this reviewer that this vehicle has moved on a long way from the previous model launched in 2012. Development inspired by 100,000km on roads...
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Bring home this bling
This new year might just be the time to buy a new vehicle. That’s because Toyota has announced a limited TRD (Toyota Racing Development) Special Edition Hilux which went on sale on January 1. Based on...
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Lighter Commodore with more bling
You might have to wait a while to buy one, but Holden will premiere the new Commodore Sportwagon at the Geneva Motor Show in March. It’s said to have been on a diet compared to the current model:...
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A ute this ain’t!
The latest Land Cruiser 70 series from Toyota is a truck, so it won’t be the choice of Remuera Roamers, Mission Bay Mums or anyone looking for wheels to do the supermarket or daily school run. What you...
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