This new wagon has a bolder and more refined exterior design, as well as interior improvements such as revised seat design and better connectivity. Driving dynamics have also been enhanced, along with improved Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH).

Toyota New Zealand General Manager of Sales and Operations, Steve Prangnell said "This is a significant change for Avensis and customers will enjoy the latest European styling and refinement of the new model."

"Due to exchange rate gains, the new model Avensis saves over $6,400 from the previous model it is now priced at $47,990."

From June 01 Peugeot's new 4008 will go on sale here.

This is a small crossover with 4WD ability in that there is a lock system for the four wheel drive so limited off roading will be possible. Details of ground clearance are not yet available but you can bet that they will be similar to the Mitsubishi ASX that the 4008 shares a platform with.

THE PURPOSE

The idea was to take a 'road trip' down SH1 from Blenheim to Bluff and then start the return journey going as far as possible on one tank of diesel to just to see how efficient the new Peugeot 508 wagon could be in ordinary driving conditions. We included the usual stops for just looking and went to some destinations for a 'touristy' look.

The journey was planned over 6 days with stops at Gore Bay, Dunedin, Invercargill, Timaru and Kaikoura. Oh and we were on the lookout for Alfred Meakin china.

DAY ONE

Left Blenheim just before 2pm on grey, muggy, warm day that got sunnier the further south we went.

Mazda's latest offering to the New Zealand market comes fully loaded with new technology and the drive to go with it.

One of the more interesting pieces of information to come at the launch of this new SUV is that it was designed with the MX5 sports car in mind, and interestingly on the drive from Wellington to Martinborough over the Rimutaka's this was well borne out. Because the CX5 handled with such good manners it was honestly really difficult to realise that this was an SUV at times. The cornering was quite flat with minimal body roll, the steering direct, so the often felt message from some older SUV's/crossovers of: 'oh you want me to go that way delay from the steering plus a squeal of defiance from the tyres', was missing and the comfort factor was high.

Subaru's all new fourth generation Impreza is a small car package with a new level of sophistication, style, technology and size.

Both hatch and sedan show big improvements in fuel efficiency and emissions, and introduce new features including, fuel-saving 'Auto Stop Start', a new generation horizontally opposed Boxer engine, interactive Multi-Function Display computer options and a choice of Subaru Lineartronic™ Transmission (SLT,CVT) or a six-speed manual gearbox.