The new Mazda 3 - confirmed on Thursday night as New Zealand's 2014 car of the year - has already impressed Drivesouth this year, when tested in both 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre automatic four-door guise. Now the manual SP25 five-door hatchback has also passed through our hands.

Another year, another ''new'' Holden Colorado. Well, sort of.

There is little reason to change a winning formula if the latest version of the top-selling Suzuki Swift is any indication.

Highlands Motorsport Park will be buzzing to the tune of more than 40 pocket rockets as the popular Aussie Racing Cars (ARC) make their New Zealand debut at January's classic race meeting.