Skip to navigation Skip to main content

Motoring

Latest Articles

Is It Time For Golfers To Start Seriously Considering EVs? Audi Q4 Etron Reviewed

In Japan, we are gifted with over 2,000 courses spread out all over the country, there are literally world-class courses everywhere, and some of my favorites are over 2 hours drive from Tokyo. Generally, golfers in Japan have not embraced EV or electric vehicles to date, as these longer trips make golfers nervous about the EV’s range, and a lack of infrastructure has probably kept us in our gas guzzlers.

But inevitably, electric is where everything is going, and we all know that in 10 years we will own an electric car. However is the time to change now? The latest models boast more range than ever, are reasonably priced, and with moves to build public infrastructure is it time golfers seriously started to consider going greener? (Every pun intended). With that in mind, we took...

BMW X7

There has been a buzz with BMW owners since the unveiling of the BMW Concept X7 iPerformance at the Frankfurt motorshow, the BMW Group is not only pulling back the covers on a new model concept for the luxury segment, it is also introducing a whole new take on luxury for the BMW brand. The Concept X7 iPerformance is it's largest SUV to date. It's striking exterior composed of intently focused lines with simplified accents. The interior offers 3 rows of luxurious comfort and cleant elegant design. The BMW TwinPower Turbo petrol engine to create an exceptionally efficient and dynamic plug-in hybrid powertrain that excels in all driving situations – including running with zero local emissions.

The X7 will join the 8 Series, the 7 series, the BMW i8 and new BMW i8 Roadster in the...

Volvo XC90 Review Fantastic styling takes Volvo to top of the SUV offering in Japan

I grew up in Europe, where car manufacturers have a distinct design and style and target distinct demographics. Volvo has always been a family car... safe, reliable and built like a tank... when we talk about stylish good looks and sex appeal, well let's just say, traditionally, Volvo would not get a look-in. In recent years though Volvo has started to move in a different direction- starting with the XC90 SUV.

Volvo started looking at a completely different styling and design, gone were the clunky tanks, and in came the innovation that forced everyone to look at Volvo cars and the Volvo brand, in a new light.

The XC90 came onto the scene with a lot of heavy hitters in the backdrop: BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Lexus as well as the uber-luxury models like the Cayenne and Levante...

Tesla's Model 3 To Take Electric Motoring To The Masses

After ten years of waiting, Tesla has revealed the Model 3, the vehicle that CEO Elon Musk hopes will take the electric car to the masses.

At the unveiling of the Model 3 at the company's design studio in Hawthorne, California, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said the car will deliver at least 215 miles of range beginning at just ¥4,000,000— that's a bold claim, and an important one for Tesla to meet. Musk is "fairly confident" that deliveries will begin by the end of 2017, and "you will not be able to buy a better car for $4,000,000 even with no options." And it will be one of the safest cars in the world, according to Musk.
Nissan Elgrand Interior

Space the final frontier... Luxury Cruisers for Golf

These are the voyages that require a bit more room than the regular trip, that require more passengers than the average saloon car. These are the times when you require a seven-seater luxury cruiser. And there are lots out there that easily fit the bill when it comes to mass transport, including several large people movers from home-grown and European manufactures. In most cases having a large amount of interior space normally counts against the exterior styling, as it’s difficult to make a large box on wheels appear anything other than boxy.

The approach of the three cars that we have below is all quite different, and each of them manage to look very appealing depending on your tastes. It can be argued, however, that there isn’t a perfect car out there yet that can fit all...
Maserati Gran Turismo

Golf Supercars Italian beasts

Out-and-out performance cars are generally something you see a professional footballer drive but there are growing amount of ‘piston-heads’ among the golfing fraternity. Traditionally these beasts have barely had enough room for an overnight bag, so the Pro’s had their caddy chauffeur their clubs to the course. Now things have moved on with manufacturers catering specifically to golfers. Most of these beautiful modern machines can accommodate a set of clubs, it’s also no surprise at this top end of the market there are a number of tie-ins between supercar manufacturers and equipment manufacturers. Lamborghini and Calloway are collaborating on carbon fiber technology to improve both cars and clubs. Ferrari and Cobra have collaborated on a high-end range of clubs and accessories with...
Porsche Cayenne Hybrid SUV

Going Green to the Greens Get you and your clubs back and forth without trampling mother earth's toes

Is it possible to mention environmental issues, luxury cars and golf in a motoring article aimed at golfers without taking a cheap shot with the word 'green'?

I'm not so sure, but I'll give it a go. With Japan being quite forward in the uptake of environmental issues over the last decade, it's about time the automotive industry supplied us with the cars we need to keep up with the rest of the tree huggers. What we have here is a selection of luxury hybrids that will get you and your clubs and friends back and forth without trampling mother earth's toes.

We cannot yet get all they way to the club without the use of some fossil fuel, but we can at least use as little as possible with the vehicles available to us today.

Range Rover Vogue 5.0 V8 SUPERCHARGED interior

Getting your 4-Ball there in style Three different vehicles that get the job done in very different ways

Ample storage space and room for four people? That certainly seems an over simplification of the requirements. Although all manufacturers use the “how many golf bags” spec for the trunk space, there is no specific range of cars aimed at golfers, and finding the ideal machine for you depends on many factors. I have chosen three different types of vehicles that get the job done in very different ways. Selecting the one for you should not only be based on the regular trip to the out-of-town course, but must also be practical day to day and not look too much like your average company car. In each case, you will arrive in comfort with all your kit and the other members of your party. The key is the drive there and back, because while your other three friends hit the 19th hole, you have to...

More on Air

What happens if your ball strikes another players ball? Golfing Rules, Seriously!

On the course this past weekend, I putt from just off the green and my ball struck my playing partners ball, knocking it closer to the hole.

After a quick giggle, we began to discuss the ruling, 'I'll play from there and its a one-shot penalty for you' my friend said. 'I was off the green' I said, 'Doesn't matter' he said. Right, I said. 'Hang on, and I'll consult the rule book'.

Luckily, I had The R&A's Rules of Golf on my phone (Well worth a download and it's FREE)

Without quoting the book verbatim, there are basically three scenarios which you should be mindful of:

On the Fairway If your ball strikes a fellow players ball on the fairway by accident, both players will play from where their balls lie. There will be no penalty...