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// Volkswagen ID.5’s Kiwi prospects up in the air

Despite Volkswagens homegrown push for more plug-in vehicles, none of its electric nameplates have hit New Zealand yet. This despite the ID.3 and ID.4 having both already been launched in Europe, and the latter having already hit showrooms in the US.

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// Crikey – Crighton’s Rotary Rocket

Rotary engined motorcycles are rare beasts, a bit like their four-wheel counterparts then. Suzuki had a crack with its RE5, Yamaha had a concept bike, and Norton made a few rotary engine models but look what happened to that company.

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// Watch the first-ever flying car drag race

Two flying cars have competed in a drag race for the first time ever in a giant leap forward for the development of electric flying cars.

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BEST OF THE REST

// ZipCharge to release portable charger that’ll let you charge your EV anywhere

One of the main concerns for potential buyers of EVs, is range. “How will my battery last a road trip if there’s no place to charge it?” Well, fret no more! ZipCharge is introducing a product that it hopes will help solve this exact issue! The device acts similarly to a “jerry can” for electricity, or a power bank for your phone.

// NZ pricing confirmed for 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace

Hot on the heels of the standard Tiguan, Volkswagen New Zealand has confirmed that the updated three-row Tiguan Allspace will land next month.

// Aston Martin’s DBX is outselling all its other models combined

The surefire formula of supercar and luxury car companies adding an SUV to their line-ups as a sort of license to print money continues to be a winning strategy, as evidenced by Aston Martins fortunes with its new DBX.

IN OTHER NEWS

// The VW ID Buzz is something cool for our inner hippies

Something for the hippies within us, Volkswagen has teased the production version of the revived electric VW bus.The VW ID Buzz is certainly a modern take on the original hippie van, with lots of fun colour options and amped-up camper van vibes.

// New generation Mini EV in 2023

The BMW Groups Mini brand will present the first model in a new generation of cars powered by an all-electric drivetrain as early as 2023.

// GREEN SPECIAL: EVs are clean by design

Much of the form that has traditionally given cars their visual character has been dictated by the function of the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) and existing electronic architecture.

// Electric car not so quiet

When Hayden Paddons electric rally car made its race debut, researchers from the University of Auckland were hanging onto every sound coming from under its bonnet.

// Nikola sees US$125 million fine as it discusses deal with SEC

Nikola Corp. said it is in settlement discussions with U.S. regulators in which the company would pay a US$125 million civil penalty, bringing the embattled electric-truck maker a step closer to closing an investigation that’s cast a shadow over its path to production.

// The Good Oil: These new steering wheels must be some kind of yoke

Theres an idiosyncratic new trend emerging among Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs): aircraft-style yoke steering wheels, as fitted to the Tesla Model S Plaid and now also confirmed as an option for Toyotas first mass-market BEV, the bZ4X(above).

// Autonomous vehicle maker Nuro secures US$600M for expansion

Electric vehicle maker Nuro said Tuesday it had secured US$600 million in funding from Google, Kroger and others to continue the development of its autonomous delivery vehicle service.

// Is the Ford Focus the next hatchback to go fully electric?

The Ford Focus is set for some big changes locally in the coming quarters. For the first time, Kiwis will soon be able to buy the model with a hybrid powertrain, with this set to be the only engine option apart from the STs 2.3-litre turbo four.

// Hyundai teases upcoming Ioniq 7 electric SUV

Hyundai has teased its next electric SUV with the new Seven concept. No prizes if you guess what its production name will likely be.

// Bigger batteries, more range: Tesla confirms Model 3 updates

Tesla has just rolled out a series of minor updates to its best-selling Model 3 on its website, off the back of the models strong recent sales performances in this part of the world.

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HELPFUL RESOURCES

// Current National New Car Deals

Updated every Friday, here’s a complete list of current National deals for new cars, utes, and light commercials.

// Clean Car Calculator

Input vehicle make and/or model to calculate if the car will receive a rebate, fee or sits in the zero band (no change).