NZ4WD

Jonathan Goodson took a southern tour in his trusty Land Rover over summer. He spent several weeks in the southern sun, covering public conservation areas and numerous high country stations whose owners kindly granted vehicle access. The trip visited Nelson Lakes and the West Coast, Canterbury, Otago and even a trip around Southland. Along the way he captured this stunning day up on the legendary Pisa Range. Jonathan takes up the story: “We were lucky enough to get a day of perfect, settled weather which made for great views in all directions. We were also struck by the impressive cloud formations overhead.” Jonathan says his Landy has clocked up some serious distances on these epic adventures.…

Oh woe is us, for the first time in a long time a 4WD is not occupying the top spot in the sales statistics. Apparently it’s the end of ute-buying in New Zealand. According to some, devotees of 4WDs will be flocking to buy EVs from here on. Strewth. Watching the mainstream media chattering about this will do your head in if you let it. They are talking up a market correction into something Biblical, while ‘Green’ politicians are spruiking EVs at every turn while they motor around in diesel limousines. But I have to feel a bit sorry for the auto companies – in many cases they actually have very little stock to offer, and some are busy buying up second hand 4WDs to fill their yards. Ford has almost zero new Rangers…

It’s coming, it’s likely to be a full-sized pickup, but it’s likely to be in left hand drive form only. Toyota is ready to confirm an all-electric ute with a likely production start-time in 2024. The bad news: left hand drive production will undoubtedly consume all available build capacity for at least a couple of years. Overseas media seem to have decided the Toyota EV will bear the Tundra name, confirming the future of the brand’s full-sized pick-up. The Tundra is now in its third generation. Adding a full electric option makes sense on a global level, as does the emphasis on left hand drive, which meets the demand of most of the world markets including China and almost all of Europe. Toyota has also said it plans to launch 15 new…

Global media are whipping themselves into a frenzy as ‘spy’ sightings of the new Range Rover Sport pop-up. With a sport version of a large SUV all wrapped up in swirly camo, where else would it be discreetly tested than on one of the most famous endurance race courses in the world? And where would the video pop up? The coming RR Sport pays clear tribute to previous versions thanks to an evolutionary approach to design, but the underpinnings are completely different. It is built on the same MLA-Flex architecture as other models in the range. Media now say the top-spec and most powerful Range Rover Sport SVR trim is likely to use BMW’s 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine currently used in BMW’s X5M. The engine is rated at 452kW (615 bhp), making the new…

Ford says its 2022 Everest will be a complete SUV: tough on the outside, a sanctuary on the inside, and ready for everything ahead. We don’t get the extensive range launching in Australia, but New Zealand will have three variants to choose from: Trend, Sport and Platinum. In a first for the series, the Everest Sport and Platinum will offer a 3.0L V6 turbo-diesel engine. Importantly, the new models will all have a 3,500kg (braked) towing capacity. Vehicle kerb weights range from the Trend at 2,383kg up to the Platinum at 2,492kg. The modern interior design includes Ford’s SYNC 4A and enabled 12-inch centre screens along with the fully digital instrument cluster. There is wireless charging for compatible smartphones, and the range will feature Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The next-Generation Everest will feature…

Ford New Zealand has confirmed pricing for the expanded range of Rangers it will offer from mid-year. The new 4WDs were shown to the public for the first time at the Hutchwilco Boat Show in Auckland during May. In most cases, new versions of its most popular Kiwi-market 4WD are barely increased over the models they replace, though the Clean Car tax will affect each to some degree. Though the range features rear wheel drive models, a single cab bi-turbo 4WD at $55,990 kicks off the model list that is most of interest to NZ4WD readers. There is a total of 11 4WDs on offer, and the range will be capped by the performance flagship Raptor, priced at $89,990 RRP. The Raptor will feature a petrol engine for the first time, with a…