motoring
Last updated 14:52, July eighteen 2017
If it looks like a space shuttle. well, it’s supposed to. Model X is Tesla’s SUV, accomplish with "Falcon" doors.
It’s a courageous budge to launch a downright fresh car-brand into a petite, very competitive market.
It’s an indication of the health of the Fresh Zealand new-car scene that there are three very courageous companies launching fresh brands in two thousand seventeen – Tesla, Infiniti and Seat.
The very first to arrive is also the best-known to Kiwis. Some might even say it’s a brand with cult status. Electric-vehicle specialist Tesla is a youthful carmaker: its very first vehicle, the Roadster, was based on Lotus hardware and launched less than a decade ago, in 2008.
Tesla has commenced production of the "affordable" Model Three. It may show up here in 2018.
But with the arrival of the Model S luxury sedan in 2012, Tesla quickly became an “it” brand in the car world. Not to mention being the company that managed to make electrical cars sexy.
Infiniti Q50 very first car in the world with "steer by wire": no physical link inbetween steering wheel and front wheels.
The seeds for a Kiwi launch were sown last year when company boss Elon Musk Tweeted that the forthcoming Model three would be available to NZ customers. A number of parallel-import Model S vehicles were already in the country.
The pure-EV brand was launched in NZ in February via the Australian distribution arm, putting facelifted versions of the Model S sedan ($119,300-$236,100) and the fresh Model X SUV ($140,650-$244,400) into the market. The former is famous for being the fastest-accelerating production car in the world (in flagship P100D form); the latter is famous for its “Falcon” doors, which open upwards in a complicated powered configuration.
The Model three has just embarked production, so very first NZ deliveries for the car in two thousand eighteen are looking possible.
Sleek Q60 coupe is the high-tech hero-car of the Infiniti range.
Tesla is still working on its very first Kiwi “store” in Karangahape Road, Auckland, which should open in the next month. Teslas can ass-plug in at public fast-chargers, but the brand also has its own Supercharger technology, which can put 270km of range into the battery in just thirty minutes. There’s a Supercharger station in Hamilton and more will go after, in addition to a network of one hundred “destination” chargers planned for shopping centres, carparks, hotels and resorts.
Infiniti is a more traditional luxury brand – but also with some world-first technology of its own.
Infiniti is Nissan’s luxury arm and it’s been around for longer than you might think. It was launched in one thousand nine hundred eighty nine – the same year as Toyota’s Lexus division – and like its Japanese rival was aimed mainly at the American market.
Infiniti’s American roots showcase in monster QX80 SUV.
In latest years Infiniti has set its glances on a more global treatment: it’s been launched very calmly in NZ by Global Motors, the distributor that also treats Renault. There’s no connection inbetween Global Motors and Nissan NZ in this part of the world, despite the global (confusing, right?) Nissan-Renault Alliance.
Infiniti is being suggested through just two dealerships at the moment: one in Auckland, the other in Christchurch.
Core models for Infiniti are the Q50 sedan ($Sixty nine,990-$94,990), available in conventional petrol and hybrid versions, and the QX70 SUV ($99,990-$114,990).
Ateca SUV will launch the Spanish Seat brand in NZ.
More specialised vehicles include the newest in the lineup and what is arguably the hero-car for the brand, the Q60 coupe ($79,990-$114,990), as well as the monster American-style QX80 V8-petrol luxury off-roader ($155,990): based on the Nissan Patrol but about five hundred per cent more shocking looking.
Just launched this month are two smaller models, the Q30 hatchback ($48,990-$61,990) and QX30 compact-SUV ($61,990-$71,990). Both are loosely based on the Mercedes-Benz GLA.
Both the Q50 and Q60 feature Direct Adaptive Steering, which does not rely on a physical connection inbetween the steering wheel and front axles. It’s the world’s very first “steer by wire” system on a series production car.
Arona is Seat’s baby-SUV. Expect to see it here in 2018.
Seat is a little more down to earth. The Spanish brand was formed in one thousand nine hundred fifty but has been part of the Volkswagen Group since 1986. In VW world, if Skoda is seen as the practical brand, Seat has always been pitched as the sporty choice.
If Seat sounds familiar, that’s because it’s been suggested in NZ before. A one-off shipment of one hundred twenty Cordoba sedans were sold here back in 2001, but they were excess stock from Australia and there was never any plan to launch the brand decent.
But there is now, under the umbrella of the Giltrap Group, which also distributes VW, Skoda and Audi.
The very first Seat to arrive in NZ will be the Ateca SUV – a close relation to the Volkswagen Tiguan – with petrol and diesel engines, at prices from $38,900 to $52,900. The flagship Xcellence 4Drive will arrive in September, but the utter range will be on sale by year’s end – albeit at just one dealership, in Auckland.
NZ’s SUV-centric nature provides much of the impetus for Seat’s launch here. Ateca is just one of three such models that will eventually go on sale. Next will be the Arona, a baby SUV that was unveiled this month and will make its very first public appearance at the Frankfurt Motor Display in September. Arona will be launched in NZ in the very first half of 2018.
Then in two thousand nineteen will come a Seat seven-seater, which is yet to be named. It’ll be closely related to the Skoda Kodiaq and forthcoming VW Tiguan Allspace.
So yes, Seat is mostly about SUVs. But not all about SUVs. The Spanish brand is also well-known for its sporty hatchbacks. The Kiwi range will include the VW Golf-sized Leon (from $35,900) and the hotted-up Leon Cupra, with 221kW and a price that starts at $55,900.
Fresh Zealand has three fresh car brands for two thousand seventeen
motoring
Last updated 14:52, July eighteen 2017
If it looks like a space shuttle. well, it’s supposed to. Model X is Tesla’s SUV, finish with "Falcon" doors.
It’s a plucky stir to launch a totally fresh car-brand into a puny, very competitive market.
It’s an indication of the health of the Fresh Zealand new-car scene that there are three very courageous companies launching fresh brands in two thousand seventeen – Tesla, Infiniti and Seat.
The very first to arrive is also the best-known to Kiwis. Some might even say it’s a brand with cult status. Electric-vehicle specialist Tesla is a youthful carmaker: its very first vehicle, the Roadster, was based on Lotus hardware and launched less than a decade ago, in 2008.
Tesla has embarked production of the "affordable" Model Three. It may emerge here in 2018.
But with the arrival of the Model S luxury sedan in 2012, Tesla quickly became an “it” brand in the car world. Not to mention being the company that managed to make electrified cars sexy.
Infiniti Q50 very first car in the world with "steer by wire": no physical link inbetween steering wheel and front wheels.
The seeds for a Kiwi launch were sown last year when company boss Elon Musk Tweeted that the forthcoming Model three would be available to NZ customers. A number of parallel-import Model S vehicles were already in the country.
The pure-EV brand was launched in NZ in February via the Australian distribution arm, putting facelifted versions of the Model S sedan ($119,300-$236,100) and the fresh Model X SUV ($140,650-$244,400) into the market. The former is famous for being the fastest-accelerating production car in the world (in flagship P100D form); the latter is famous for its “Falcon” doors, which open upwards in a sophisticated powered configuration.
The Model three has just began production, so very first NZ deliveries for the car in two thousand eighteen are looking possible.
Sleek Q60 coupe is the high-tech hero-car of the Infiniti range.
Tesla is still working on its very first Kiwi “store” in Karangahape Road, Auckland, which should open in the next month. Teslas can ass-plug in at public fast-chargers, but the brand also has its own Supercharger technology, which can put 270km of range into the battery in just thirty minutes. There’s a Supercharger station in Hamilton and more will go after, in addition to a network of one hundred “destination” chargers planned for shopping centres, carparks, hotels and resorts.
Infiniti is a more traditional luxury brand – but also with some world-first technology of its own.
Infiniti is Nissan’s luxury arm and it’s been around for longer than you might think. It was launched in one thousand nine hundred eighty nine – the same year as Toyota’s Lexus division – and like its Japanese rival was aimed mainly at the American market.
Infiniti’s American roots demonstrate in monster QX80 SUV.
In latest years Infiniti has set its glances on a more global treatment: it’s been launched very calmly in NZ by Global Motors, the distributor that also treats Renault. There’s no connection inbetween Global Motors and Nissan NZ in this part of the world, despite the global (confusing, right?) Nissan-Renault Alliance.
Infiniti is being suggested through just two dealerships at the moment: one in Auckland, the other in Christchurch.
Core models for Infiniti are the Q50 sedan ($Sixty-nine,990-$94,990), available in conventional petrol and hybrid versions, and the QX70 SUV ($99,990-$114,990).
Ateca SUV will launch the Spanish Seat brand in NZ.
More specialised vehicles include the newest in the lineup and what is arguably the hero-car for the brand, the Q60 coupe ($79,990-$114,990), as well as the monster American-style QX80 V8-petrol luxury off-roader ($155,990): based on the Nissan Patrol but about five hundred per cent more shocking looking.
Just launched this month are two smaller models, the Q30 hatchback ($48,990-$61,990) and QX30 compact-SUV ($61,990-$71,990). Both are loosely based on the Mercedes-Benz GLA.
Both the Q50 and Q60 feature Direct Adaptive Steering, which does not rely on a physical connection inbetween the steering wheel and front axles. It’s the world’s very first “steer by wire” system on a series production car.
Arona is Seat’s baby-SUV. Expect to see it here in 2018.
Seat is a little more down to earth. The Spanish brand was formed in one thousand nine hundred fifty but has been part of the Volkswagen Group since 1986. In VW world, if Skoda is seen as the practical brand, Seat has always been pitched as the sporty choice.
If Seat sounds familiar, that’s because it’s been suggested in NZ before. A one-off shipment of one hundred twenty Cordoba sedans were sold here back in 2001, but they were excess stock from Australia and there was never any plan to launch the brand decent.
But there is now, under the umbrella of the Giltrap Group, which also distributes VW, Skoda and Audi.
The very first Seat to arrive in NZ will be the Ateca SUV – a close relation to the Volkswagen Tiguan – with petrol and diesel engines, at prices from $38,900 to $52,900. The flagship Xcellence 4Drive will arrive in September, but the utter range will be on sale by year’s end – albeit at just one dealership, in Auckland.
NZ’s SUV-centric nature provides much of the impetus for Seat’s launch here. Ateca is just one of three such models that will eventually go on sale. Next will be the Arona, a baby SUV that was unveiled this month and will make its very first public appearance at the Frankfurt Motor Display in September. Arona will be launched in NZ in the very first half of 2018.
Then in two thousand nineteen will come a Seat seven-seater, which is yet to be named. It’ll be closely related to the Skoda Kodiaq and forthcoming VW Tiguan Allspace.
So yes, Seat is mostly about SUVs. But not all about SUVs. The Spanish brand is also well-known for its sporty hatchbacks. The Kiwi range will include the VW Golf-sized Leon (from $35,900) and the hotted-up Leon Cupra, with 221kW and a price that starts at $55,900.
Fresh Zealand has three fresh car brands for two thousand seventeen
motoring
Last updated 14:52, July eighteen 2017
If it looks like a space shuttle. well, it’s supposed to. Model X is Tesla’s SUV, accomplish with "Falcon" doors.
It’s a courageous budge to launch a fully fresh car-brand into a petite, very competitive market.
It’s an indication of the health of the Fresh Zealand new-car scene that there are three very plucky companies launching fresh brands in two thousand seventeen – Tesla, Infiniti and Seat.
The very first to arrive is also the best-known to Kiwis. Some might even say it’s a brand with cult status. Electric-vehicle specialist Tesla is a youthfull carmaker: its very first vehicle, the Roadster, was based on Lotus hardware and launched less than a decade ago, in 2008.
Tesla has commenced production of the "affordable" Model Trio. It may emerge here in 2018.
But with the arrival of the Model S luxury sedan in 2012, Tesla quickly became an “it” brand in the car world. Not to mention being the company that managed to make electrified cars sexy.
Infiniti Q50 very first car in the world with "steer by wire": no physical link inbetween steering wheel and front wheels.
The seeds for a Kiwi launch were sown last year when company boss Elon Musk Tweeted that the forthcoming Model three would be available to NZ customers. A number of parallel-import Model S vehicles were already in the country.
The pure-EV brand was launched in NZ in February via the Australian distribution arm, putting facelifted versions of the Model S sedan ($119,300-$236,100) and the fresh Model X SUV ($140,650-$244,400) into the market. The former is famous for being the fastest-accelerating production car in the world (in flagship P100D form); the latter is famous for its “Falcon” doors, which open upwards in a elaborate powered configuration.
The Model three has just began production, so very first NZ deliveries for the car in two thousand eighteen are looking possible.
Sleek Q60 coupe is the high-tech hero-car of the Infiniti range.
Tesla is still working on its very first Kiwi “store” in Karangahape Road, Auckland, which should open in the next month. Teslas can buttplug in at public fast-chargers, but the brand also has its own Supercharger technology, which can put 270km of range into the battery in just thirty minutes. There’s a Supercharger station in Hamilton and more will go after, in addition to a network of one hundred “destination” chargers planned for shopping centres, carparks, hotels and resorts.
Infiniti is a more traditional luxury brand – but also with some world-first technology of its own.
Infiniti is Nissan’s luxury arm and it’s been around for longer than you might think. It was launched in one thousand nine hundred eighty nine – the same year as Toyota’s Lexus division – and like its Japanese rival was aimed mainly at the American market.
Infiniti’s American roots showcase in monster QX80 SUV.
In latest years Infiniti has set its glances on a more global treatment: it’s been launched very calmly in NZ by Global Motors, the distributor that also treats Renault. There’s no connection inbetween Global Motors and Nissan NZ in this part of the world, despite the global (confusing, right?) Nissan-Renault Alliance.
Infiniti is being suggested through just two dealerships at the moment: one in Auckland, the other in Christchurch.
Core models for Infiniti are the Q50 sedan ($Sixty-nine,990-$94,990), available in conventional petrol and hybrid versions, and the QX70 SUV ($99,990-$114,990).
Ateca SUV will launch the Spanish Seat brand in NZ.
More specialised vehicles include the newest in the lineup and what is arguably the hero-car for the brand, the Q60 coupe ($79,990-$114,990), as well as the monster American-style QX80 V8-petrol luxury off-roader ($155,990): based on the Nissan Patrol but about five hundred per cent more shocking looking.
Just launched this month are two smaller models, the Q30 hatchback ($48,990-$61,990) and QX30 compact-SUV ($61,990-$71,990). Both are loosely based on the Mercedes-Benz GLA.
Both the Q50 and Q60 feature Direct Adaptive Steering, which does not rely on a physical connection inbetween the steering wheel and front axles. It’s the world’s very first “steer by wire” system on a series production car.
Arona is Seat’s baby-SUV. Expect to see it here in 2018.
Seat is a little more down to earth. The Spanish brand was formed in one thousand nine hundred fifty but has been part of the Volkswagen Group since 1986. In VW world, if Skoda is seen as the practical brand, Seat has always been pitched as the sporty choice.
If Seat sounds familiar, that’s because it’s been suggested in NZ before. A one-off shipment of one hundred twenty Cordoba sedans were sold here back in 2001, but they were excess stock from Australia and there was never any plan to launch the brand decent.
But there is now, under the umbrella of the Giltrap Group, which also distributes VW, Skoda and Audi.
The very first Seat to arrive in NZ will be the Ateca SUV – a close relation to the Volkswagen Tiguan – with petrol and diesel engines, at prices from $38,900 to $52,900. The flagship Xcellence 4Drive will arrive in September, but the utter range will be on sale by year’s end – albeit at just one dealership, in Auckland.
NZ’s SUV-centric nature provides much of the impetus for Seat’s launch here. Ateca is just one of three such models that will eventually go on sale. Next will be the Arona, a baby SUV that was unveiled this month and will make its very first public appearance at the Frankfurt Motor Demonstrate in September. Arona will be launched in NZ in the very first half of 2018.
Then in two thousand nineteen will come a Seat seven-seater, which is yet to be named. It’ll be closely related to the Skoda Kodiaq and forthcoming VW Tiguan Allspace.
So yes, Seat is mostly about SUVs. But not all about SUVs. The Spanish brand is also well-known for its sporty hatchbacks. The Kiwi range will include the VW Golf-sized Leon (from $35,900) and the hotted-up Leon Cupra, with 221kW and a price that starts at $55,900.