The Weekend Sun
Bay Driver Friday 15 March 2013
Friday 15 March 2013
Friday 15 March 2013
Page 7
Indian invasion ahead
Future designs on driving
The design of future motoring? Kia Cross GT.
Forget about the Jetson’s vision of the family car taking off and flying – recent concept car designs released by two companies suggest it’s a hybrid future on four wheels.
After countless attempts to revive the classic US motorcycle brand Indian – America’s oldest bike name will soon be back. The bike brand has a new generation of fans in New Zealand following the 2005 film release of ‘The World’s Fastest Indian’ about Burt Munro’s 1967 landspeed record on a 1920 Indian Scout. Hopes that the brand, which went bust in 1953, will soon hit the street with fresh models were boosted when specialist motoring manufacturer Polaris Indus-
Subaru has unveiled its new concept crossover vehicle VIZIZ at the Geneva International Motor Show which features an innovative new allwheel drive system offering “high efficiency and performance on all road surfaces”. The VIZIZ combines a future generation diesel hybrid engine and independent rear motor-driven AWD. The rear wheels are independently driven by separate electric motors, providing finely tuned control of all four wheels to match the driving environment and road surface. The powertrain selects the best time to use each motor, according to driving conditions, achieving high fuel efficiency. Meanwhile Kia also revealed its latest concept car, the Cross GT – a large premium SUV vehicle, combining luxury elements with the advantages of an off-roader. It’s a hybrid offering an electric motor ideal for city commuting and the grunt of a 3.8-litre V6 petrol engine for country cruising. Subaru’s VIZIZ. Kia is looking for feedback on the design, which is strictly a concept at this point, to sound out radical designs and ideas for new vehicles before deciding whether they will go into production or just remain a styling exercise.
tries bought the brand two years ago. Polaris, a big player in the all-terrain, mobility scooter and snowmobile markets, already own the Victory Motorcycle brand. The company has just unveiled its debut new model, appropriately titled the Chief, which will go on sale in the US later this year. Company CEO Scott Wine hopes it will give the long-dominant Harley Davidson major competition in the 600cc+ segment with its lower ticket price. A New Zealand release date has not been finalised.
New cars warranting a change next year Changes to the vehicle warrant system are confirmed to arrive in early 2014. New Zealand Transport Agency’s group manager Celia Patrick announced the changes will come into effect in the first half of 2014, allowing the agency time to prepare for the revised system which will see the frequency of warrant
checks drop for newer cars. “Over the next year, we’ll get the necessary transport rules updated to legalise the changes, update our IT systems and work with vehicle inspecting organisations to develop the new process,” she says. From early 2014, new light vehicles will have an initial WOF inspection, then no further inspections until the vehicle is three
years old. About 900,000 vehicles made after 2000 will go from a six-monthly WOF to permanent annual inspections. “The NZTA will run a public information programme to remind people about the changes and when they come into effect closer to the time they’re introduced.” The changes apply to all vehicles that are warranted.
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