On Throttle New Zealand

That seat. The X4's seat is one of the comfiest motorcycle seats I've ever put my bony behind on I've been waiting a couple of months for a chance at Hyosung's new bike, the X4. You may have even seen my blog post from December running over the bikes basic specs from what I learnt when I attended the official launch at Hyosung HQ on Barrys Point Road in Auckland. You can read that blog here . But finally swinging a leg over the thing. That was totally worth the wait. It started when the boss, after I assume seeing the blog post from December, asked me to organise and review the X4 for the magazine. Shit yeah I can do that! was the thought in my head. So on the phone to Beau at Hyosung and 3 weeks later here I am. Finally sitting snug on the incredibly comfortable seat of the X4. The reason for the wait I can gather, is the tremendous pressure the test bike has been under. The entire first shipment of the X4 sold out before I even got to have a go in the si

Photo by Ted Baghurst (http://tedbaghurst.com/) Holden's new compact SUV the Trax is a funny thing. About the size of a mid sized hatchback but much much higher the Trax is easy to get in and out of like most SUVs. Major differences with the Holden Trax to other SUV's however is the lack of a rear axle and all wheel drive. Which I will admit was rather scary to look under the rear of the car to see the rear wheels appear to only be connected to the rear struts, much like the superstrut system on some Toyota models. The power is very urban friendly, and we even managed to get the wheels spinning with the TCS on in the atrocious weather we had in Auckland on the day that we went out to shoot it. Styling wise it looks very much as part of GM's stable even though it was designed by a chap in Australia. The only Australian things I managed to take from the design of the Trax is the rear bumper shares the same silver insert as the VE Commodore and even risking my integri

Photo by Ted Baghurst (http://tedbaghurst.com/) You're mental. That's what was passing through my head as the boss called me up and told me he needed me to come and pick up the Audi RS6 from him and drive it across Auckland to Muriwai for a photoshoot. Normally I wouldn't batt and eyelid at the boss asking me to come and pick up a car for a photoshoot, but at over 412kw and well over $100k in price, the RS6 Quattro represents more than just another car. It's the most expensive and most powerful car I have been given the responsibility to drive in my short time at the NZ Herald/Driven Magazine. With a lowered speed tolerance on and usually a rather heavy foot, I was glad that the boss had not only programmed the brilliant navigation system for me but that the RS6 had cruise control. Before discovering this brilliant system however I did try my luck, which thankfully held, while entering the motorway at a controlled onramp. Next to me was a Holden Commodore T