Holden has released details on the Series II VE Commodore and WM Caprice, calling the new car the ‘smart Commodore’. That’s mostly because of new technology packed into the car that introduces multimedia technology, improved fuel economy and the ability to run on bio-ethanol.

The new multimedia package is called Holden-iQ and it adds Bluetooth, USB, iPod and MP3 player capability across the entire range. Holden-iQ works through a touch screen mounted in the centre of the dashboard. Every model except Omega also has the ability to rip music into an internal flash drive, keeping the music in the stereo’s memory. Selected models also get a sat nav system that works through the touch screen.

On the engine front, the 3.0 litre SIDI V6 is two percent more efficient, now measuring 9.1L/100km on the official ADR81/02 testing regime, while the larger 3.6 litre SIDI engine gains a three percent improvement in fuel consumption. Across the V8 range there has been a fuel economy improvement of just over six percent.

Kia has released pricing for its new Sportage model - pricing its entry level model below that of competing offerings from Mitsubishi and Hyundai.

The vehicle will not go on sale till October 1, but Kia has said it is releasing pricing now to allow buyers to 'plan ahead'. THe pricing includes the higher GST rate.

Kia claims that at $33,990 plus on-road costs, the Sportage 2.0 Urban LX model undercuts all other SUV/CUV models on the market, including the smaller Mitsubishi ASX. The price also puts the new Sportage some $6000 below the equivalent Hyundai iX35’s current price.

The comparison is 'like-for-like', and a Kia representative told Autotalk they do not consider the $28,990 Great Wall X240 a competitor.

Peugeot has traditionally relied upon high performance versions of standard hatchbacks to provide for the sportier customer, but a sign that the French company is about to head off in another direction is the RCZ coupe.

As well as heralding another new interpretation of the Peugeot design language, the car is the first Peugeot in recent memory to have letters, rather than numbers, designating the model, which will be used on special models in the future. As Simon Rose, divisional manager of Peugeot New Zealand puts it: “The RCZ is a sports car to halo the entire brand.”

Peugeot New Zealand expects the RCZ to appeal equally to female and male buyers, with two distinct models – a 115kW six speed automatic, and a 147kW six speed manual, both priced at $64,990. Both cars have the same 1598cc turbocharged engine, but in differing states of tune. Notably the 147kW engine is essentially the same engine as found in the Mini John Cooper Works.

Initially sales expectations were around the 50 per year mark, but after judging the level of interest at this year’s Speedshow, Grant Smith, general manager of Peugeot New Zealand is now estimating 100 per year.

Hyundai New Zealand has confirmed the MD, revealed just weeks ago, will replace the Elantra model, but will be dubbed the i35 in New Zealand.

Featuring the Gamma 1.6-litre GDI engine and 6-speed automatic transmission developed entirely in-house, it goes on sale in Korea this month (August) and is due in New Zealand early next year.

“This new replacement for the Elantra will most likely provide the best styling and performance in its class,” explains the chief operating officer of Hyundai New Zealand, Tom Ruddenklau.