Motoring expert http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/index/-/richardbosselman Sun, 22 Nov 2009 21:28:02 -0800 Yahoo! http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/post/-/richardbosselman/578/zoom-zoom-room/ <strong>Hard to imagine anyone putting the boot into the Mazda2 - it's become one of New Zealand's more popular small cars, after all.</strong><br /><br />But now the maker has done just that. Turned the nippy, neat-looking hatchback into a sedan.<br /><br />Sounds interesting? If you think so, then show the brand you mean it, perhaps with a letter of support or - better still - a downpayment. ... Sun, 22 Nov 2009 20:39:49 -0800 Richard Bosselman http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/post/-/richardbosselman/577/porsche-hear-and-now/ <p> <span style="font-weight: bold">Fancy yourself as a pukka Porsche punter?</span><br /><br />Then for you, my friend, comes ze special test - picking the firm's products by their distinctive engine sounds alone ...<br /><br />That's the challenge Porsche is inviting British enthusiasts to undertake, though thanks to the wonders of the internet, there's no reason why Kiwis can't lend a hand - or should that be an ear? - as well. <br /><br /><a href="http://a323.yahoofs. ... Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:50:00 -0800 Richard Bosselman http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/post/-/richardbosselman/576/focus-rs-back-on-the-boil/ <strong>Still fancy the idea of having a World Rally Championship-inspired European hot hatch with jaw-dropping visual impact in your driveway?</strong><br /><br />Good news, then. A change of policy and kinder exchange rates have allowed Ford New Zealand to take a serious second look at introducing the latest Focus RS (Rallye Sport). ... Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:03:57 -0800 Richard Bosselman http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/post/-/richardbosselman/575/once-more-with-seoul/ The Koreans are coming? Old news. Actually the Koreans are well-established here. . . and now they're now concentrating on conquering.<br /><br /> In 2009, Kiwis have really taken to Korean cars - even if they don't even know it. ... Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:35:10 -0800 Richard Bosselman http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/post/-/richardbosselman/574/prado-substantial-sophisticate/ <strong>City trendsetters might now be less keen on urban assault-style four-wheel-drives, but there's still enough country business to keep the Toyota Prado on top of the large lugger game.</strong><br /><br />So says Steve Prangnell, Toyota New Zealand's general manager of sales and operations, speaking ahead of today's release of a new Prado that, while delivering a heap more sophistication at premium level, is still no new-age softy. ... Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:43:06 -0800 Richard Bosselman http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/post/-/richardbosselman/572/american-dream-not-over/ <strong>Kiwis will not be left wanting by a Fiat-led wholesale rebirth of Chrysler and its all-American affiliates, the distributor has assured.</strong><br /><br />As many as three new Chrysler products, three Dodge and five Jeep models - all as yet unseen - are likely to be in New Zealand showrooms by 2014, the Auckland-based franchise holder has suggested to Yahoo!Xtra. ... Sun, 15 Nov 2009 22:44:02 -0800 Richard Bosselman http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/post/-/richardbosselman/571/mitsubishi-to-the-four/ <strong>Even the formed road drive out to Paharoa Station, a weather-blasted sheep and cattle holding on the Wairarapa coastline, has its moments. Switchbacks, drop-offs, deep gravel and pretty much single lane.</strong><br /><br />Measured against the return run, along farm tracks zig-zagging across the 8000 hectare farm, that first leg seemed dead easy, however. ... Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:40:17 -0800 Richard Bosselman http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/post/-/richardbosselman/570/hard-road-for-mistubishi-nz/ <strong>Re-entry into the maker's top 10, doubling market share and addressing a near 50 percent drop in new car sales for the year to date are absolute priorities for Mitsubishi in New Zealand, a senior company man says.</strong><br /><br />Peter Wilkins, Mitsubishi Motors New Zealand general manager of sales and marketing, says 2009 will go down as the Porirua-based firm's 'annulus horribilis'. ... Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:31:57 -0800 Richard Bosselman http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/post/-/richardbosselman/569/alfa-says-me-too/ <strong>Here's a small but potentially key tip for all current and pending MiTo drivers.</strong><br /><br />When discussing the bella bambino that aims to put the likes of BMW's Mini out of fashion, best to keep the conversation focused on the verve, while steering clear of the issue of value.<br /><br />The reasons for this should be patently obviously. ... Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:02:07 -0800 Richard Bosselman http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/post/-/richardbosselman/568/play-time-from-germany/ With motorsport season now upon us, what better to whet the appetite than two German thoroughbreds with genuine track ability?<br /><br /> The hot-looking BMW M3 GTS and the Porsche Boxster Spyder also have the kudos of being very much the best of their respective breeds, and should certainly deliver the most explosive performance.<br /><a href="http://a323.yahoofs.com/ymg/richardbosselman__3/richardbosselman-405749715-1257805128.jpg?ymIliLCDKG95YEOh"><img border="0" src="http://a323. ... Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:21:19 -0800 Richard Bosselman