RobiNZ Personal Blog

The Abarth 500, arriving soon in New Zealand

The Fiat New Zealand Auto range, if you can all is that, is currently a matter of “Which 500 would you like”? I guess (lack of) demand, volume and margin were responsible for the Grande Punto & Bravo disappearing some time ago. However it has been announced that the slightly bonkers Abarth 500 is arriving soon and is already selling well. It takes the little 500 chassis but adds a boost to 117KW. Performance in a cute little package arriving soon. I wonder if we’ll see the bigger Abarth Punto Evo? Red Hot Red Hot Bambino Is Off And Running!... Read more →

Greg Johnson’s Secret Weapon

I’ve never been credited on an Album before but it is not the only reason I like this one! Greg part financed it’s production with pre-sales and a small investment was recognised in the liner notes. It’s a good listen, my favourite being the skeptical love song “The Way I Feel”: SECRET WEAPON HAS LAUNCHED! It's been a long time comin as the man said, but I'm delighted to say that the new album Secret Weapon is released ! It's been an amazing journey so far, but I hope this is just the beginning! The album is available in all... Read more →

Christchurch Earthquake – My updates

I’ve pinned this post to stay at the top of my blog and have been jotting EQNZ thoughts into a single post. It also has some links to EQNZ info for readers (and me!). UPDATE 2011-03-31: I spent two nights in Christchurch before & after my cycle trip. Didn't go out of my way to see the quake impacts (seems ghoulish to do that) but just travelling around it's impossible to avoid. While the broken roads, fallen buildings are apparent it was the others things that I found more disturbing: Imagine being in a bar where somebody accidentally drops a... Read more →

Traffic Light Thought - I’m sorry Mr De Silva, I disagree

I once read that Automotive Designer Walter De Silva said of the Audi A5: “For me, the A5 is very close to perfect. I love everything about this car. Its general shape, its details; it's so balanced in its proportions. It's sensual and at the same time dynamic. There's nothing about it I dislike. It's the most beautiful design of my career.” Quote from: www.europeancarweb.com I followed both an Audi A5 & Alfa Romeo 156 tonight and (remembering it arrived in 1997) think it is the superior design. Images from Alfa Romeo 156 site circa 1997 Read more →

Traffic Light Thought - I saw a Panda!

Although far from exotic second generation Fiat Panda is nearly as rare in New Zealand as the furry black & white Chinese kind. Unlike the boxy first generation ones they weren’t officially imported. The one I saw today was only the second I’ve ever seen. Read more →

Traffic Light Thought – Aston or Maserati? No contest!

Observations from today’s bike ride. An Aston Martin DBS looks & sounds rather nice (seen near Kohi) but a Maserati GranTurismo S 4.7 looks* & sounds a whole lot better (seen at the Te Atatu Off-ramp). * Even though, or maybe because, it was Matt Black! Read more →

Structural deepening and the big little Fiat

How a little and big little car demonstrates technological evolution. Applied Abstractions: FIAT 500 and Structural deepening One aspect of technology evolution, according to W. Brian Arthur's excellent The Nature of Technology, is structural deepening: How basic technology adds features over time… Read more →