RobiNZ Personal Blog

Going green: Electric, Hybrid or...?

"Big Car" (currently a Tesla owner) wonders if pure electric cars are a fad and if there is a better answer.... I wonder if the current technology pure electric is transitional but also don't think hybrid is the answer either. If you so rarely need the ICE component just buy an electric and rent an ICE car when you need range rather than carry the complication and mass of a generator? But I also wonder about the ecological impact of scrappage replacing ICE for electric. NZ power is pretty green, ~80% renewable, so if you can grid charge source isn't... Read more →

Cycling to look at the new electric and hybrid Italians

The Fiat 500e, but not yet the Abarth 500e, is just being launched in NZ. I got an email invite from Andrew Sims who had the 500e press preview car for test drives today (Sat Feb 11) & tomorrow prior to the Autumn public release. Decided not to waste their (limited) time booking one—as I won't be buying—but was curious to see the 500e in the metal. I typically go for a bike ride on Sunday but with Cyclone Gabrielle approaching, forecast arrival Sunday evening through to Tuesday, Saturday was a better bet. The morning was dedicated to my usual... Read more →

Cycling across town on Auckland's wettest day

Although a tropical storm was forecast it wasn't expected Friday January 27, 2023, would be Auckland's wettest day on record. Our average January rainfall, remember a summer month, is ~52mm and we got ~260mm on one day. It was raining all day but peaked in the early evening, at times over 60-80mm/hour depending where measured. It turned out to be devastating for many; four lives lost and massive property damage city wide. I was fortunate not to be impacted at all; the house was fine, and we just had an overnight power cut. This post isn't about the event, the... Read more →

The Abarth 500 Esseesse LEGO upgrade

Watching the current Aussie* LEGO Masters TV show prompted me to actually acquire the only full-size LEGO piece that fits (really well) on a real Abarth. Had seen lots of others, mostly in the UK, do this engine bay mod. The official LEGO® 4-stud Storage Brick lid fits perfectly, with a bit of trimming, to tidy up the slightly scruffy battery area. It's entirely appropriate given the 'fun little toy' character of the Abarth too 🙂 I was sceptical it would cope with the engine compartment temperatures but, apparently, it is fine. Time will tell?! * The best of the... Read more →

Auckland flight to Christchurch, on to Queenstown | Time Out 2021-22 Fly Drive

After about a week at home it was time to fly South again. Was easier, and cheaper, to leave AHBART in long term parking at Auckland Airport than other options to get there. I always take a few car photos before leaving (proof OK in case of damage) and, much later, this would prove to be useful. The small bag was just some extra 'cold and wet' gear for the more alpine and autumnal aspects of the Otago/Queenstown leg. The airport was COVID quiet again, and not much open airside apart from one coffee/newsagent outlet. Still lots of COVID retired... Read more →

Gearing up for Time Out 2021-22

I have most of the gear I need, if not all I want, but will get a few things extra. My travels are going to be a mix of 4-12 day regional visits driving to a hub, then day or overnight cycles, returning home in between. Although some of the trails will require DOC hut stays I haven't planned on any camping as don't like it. Accommodation need not be luxurious unless you consider a proper bed and hot shower luxury. The other consideration is survival; particularly as some of the riding will be solo. The driving bits The drive... Read more →

No Abarth parking?

A colleague was booking airport parking (not on airport) and it seems you can't park an Abarth! Odd given some equally rare, and far more exotic, marques are listed! This, wrong, option is available... Read more →

Ridelabelz laundering instructions for an Abarth

When AHBART was detailed by Final Touch it included ceramic paint protection. That came with very specific hand wash instructions so, although I never use car washes, when I saw this amusing accessory on an Abarth Group had to get one. Seems appropriate for the car and summarises those car care instructions :) I ordered it a couple of months ago and had almost forgotten when, thanks to COVID-19 mail timelines, it arrived last Friday. It is printed on heavy duty vinyl and Velcro attached; take a look at ridelabelz.nl for details. Read more →

The evolution of the Fiat 500

While Frank Stephenson did design the production new generation Fiat 500 it is a pity he did not mention, credit, Roberto Giollito and his Fiat Trepiùno concept car (below) which served as the inspiration. It was named for a unique 1+2 seat configuration where the front passenger seat could be slid forward, under a recessed dashboard, to create two full size passenger spaces beside the driver. Pity that didn't make production! Still getting a concept to production largely intact, past the bean counter cuts and real-world requirements, is no mean feat. Love watching him draw too. I wondered if he'd... Read more →

Where does the fuel go in? | COVID-19

Filled up AHBART yesterday, 60 days since last fill and could still only get 24 litres into the (35 litre) tank. Mind you have only driven 316km and half of that was before lockdown! Read more →