Subaru withdraws from WRC
16/12/08 10:20 Filed in: News
Following the Honda withdrawal from Formula 1, then Suzuki’s withdrawal yesterday, the global economic crisis has claimed a third scalp. Subaru has announced its decision to withdraw from the 2009 World Rally Championship.
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Read More...BMW unwraps its new Z4 for Christmas
14/12/08 17:22 Filed in: News
Mazda 2 impresses
10/12/08 09:38 Filed in: Road tests
Effortless off-roader
10/12/08 09:25 Filed in: Road tests
Congestion charges stall
It has been a bad couple of weeks for those determined to tax us twice for using the roads we have already paid for. Read More...
Honda to pull out of Formula 1
05/12/08 12:07 Filed in: Motorsport
Boosting the economy with a roads programme
The opening of the new motorway that closes the Cumberland Gap in the UK motorway system, on the 50th anniversary of the opening of the first motorway, is a cause for celebration. But it also highlights the chronic under-investment in Britain’s primary transport network.
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Read More...Audi A5 goes convertible
03/12/08 22:11
Swoopy, sleek Passat
01/12/08 15:11 Filed in: Road tests
The Volkswagen Passat CC. The first question is trying to work out what it is and why they have produced it.
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Read More...America's motor giants face uncertain future
Leaders of America’s big three motor giants – GM, Chrysler and Ford – headed to Washington seeking a rescue package from the US government.
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Porsche releases pictures of Panamera
29/11/08 16:09
Porsche has released the first pictures of its new Panamera four-door, four-seater grand touring sports car.
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Read More...Frugal Fiat
11/11/08 17:58 Filed in: Road tests
I remember a few years ago driving a Volkswagen Polo which refused to do anything less than 48 mpg on a regular commute. I remember how remarkable that seemed. Now, however, more and more cars are producing surprising results.
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Read More...Watch out there's a spy about
06/11/08 09:35 Filed in: News
If you are a car enthusiast it always pays to have a camera handy, especially if you are in an area where manufacturers are known to test new models.
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Read More...Fuel-sipping Mercedes-Benz
04/11/08 20:37 Filed in: Road tests
For just £20,850 this Mercedes-Benz brings you the image of driving a car with the three-pointed star. But, while that might suggest a degree of opulence, on this particular Mercedes-Benz that image is combined with remarkably parsimonious drinking habits and low emissions. My daily commute was despatched with a shrug and an average of over 40 mpg.
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Read More...Stupendous result for Lewis
03/11/08 19:44 Filed in: Motorsport
A Hollywood scriptwriter could hardly have concocted a more nail-biting finish to the Formula One year than that played out at Interlagos yesterday.
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Read More...Ford announces prices for new Ka
30/10/08 13:40 Filed in: News
Ford has announced the prices of its new Ka which will go on sale in the UK in January.
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Read More...Toyota Auris practical, but not exciting
29/10/08 20:42 Filed in: Road tests
The Toyota Auris was designed in France for the European market and it is built here, at plants in the UK and Turkey.
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Read More...Mercedes delights and frustrates
25/10/08 13:15 Filed in: Road tests
My first drive of the new Mercedes-Benz C220 CDI Estate Sport was a mixed experience. Out on open country roads it was a delight to drive, providing greater driver involvement and feedback than any Mercedes saloon or estate car I can remember. But in stop-start motoring conditions it was another matter.
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Read More...Going for 1,000 mph land record!
25/10/08 13:12 Filed in: News
Twelve years since Andy Green OBE and Thrust SSC scythed through the sound barrier on their way to the current World Land Speed Record of 763.053 mph, Green and former record-holder, Richard Noble OBE, are preparing to write the latest chapter in the history of World Land Speed Record attempts, with a 1,000mph bid.
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Read More...Mini Cross 4x4 to go into production
25/10/08 13:03 Filed in: News
Mini, riding a high currently as the fastest growing premium brand, especially in the USA, will put the Crossover concept unveiled at this month's Paris motor show into production "in the near future," says BMW sales and marketing boss Ian Robertson.
The company wants to take advantage of the current trend for downsizing.
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The company wants to take advantage of the current trend for downsizing.
Read More...Recession, what recession, the gold-plated car
25/10/08 12:55 Filed in: News
Visitors to MPH, the Prestige and Performance Motor Show that opens in London’s Earls Court next week, will have a chance to drool over the ultimate car for the recession – a gold and platinum-plated Aston Martin DB7!
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Read More...Swindon - the centre of enlightenment
24/10/08 09:21 Filed in: News
Swindon, in England, may not seem like the place for the dawn of a new enlightenment. But, that is exactly what it is.
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Plug-in racing car for British Championship
22/10/08 19:13 Filed in: Motorsport
Next year, electric vehicles will take a further step in shaking off their “milk float” image with the entry of an electric racing car in one of Britain’s fastest motor sport series.
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Read More...The Scirocco is back
12/10/08 19:20 Filed in: Road tests
Judging by the first drive, the new Volkswagen Scirocco looks set to be as successful as its 1970s and 80s predecessor. It is an affordable and hugely enjoyable sports coupe at a reasonable price.
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Read More...More impressive luxury and performance than economy
04/10/08 16:00 Filed in: Road tests
Volkswagen Eos the all-weather convertible
13/09/08 20:39 Filed in: Road tests
Coupé cabriolets are the current hot ticket on the motoring scene. With their folding metal roofs, these cars aim to offer the best of both worlds – the full open air motoring experience, plus the comfort and security of a metal roof. Read More...
Mercedes CLC targets a younger, sportier market
21/08/08 13:35 Filed in: Road tests
Mercedes-Benz has clearly tried hard to appeal to a younger, sportier with the launch of the new CLC. I say new, because the CLC only arrived in UK showrooms on June 12. It bears sharp new looks to align with the new C Series, although the underpinnings are substantially those of the previous SC. Read More...
Honda's low profile executive saloon
14/08/08 14:09 Filed in: Road tests
From a UK perspective, it is easy to forget that Honda produces a sports executive saloon. It may be quite high-profile in markets like the United States, but there it bears the Acura badge of Honda's US prestige brand. In this country it is badged as a Honda and is somewhat eclipsed by the more high-profile small and medium sized hatchbacks and SUVs. Read More...
Report admits obstructing traffic was policy, says ABD
13/08/08 17:22 Filed in: Road tests
The latest report from Transport for London states that despite 70,000 fewer cars a day entering the central zone and 30,000 fewer in the Western Extension, congestion in both of these areas is every bit as bad as it was before the charge was introduced, according to the Association of British Drivers. Read More...
First pictures of the new Aston Martin One-77
08/08/08 13:37 Filed in: News
Aston Martin has released the first photo of the new One-77, which they describe as "the ultimate creative interpretation of the renowned British marque". Read More...
Ford finally launches into small SUV market
07/08/08 19:04 Filed in: Road tests
Imagine a Ford Focus on stilts and you get the basic idea of the Ford Kuga, the blue oval's belated entry in to the small sports utility vehicle (SUV) market. Ford say it combines element os an estate car, an SUV (so far so good) and a coupé (umm, let me think about that last one. Read More...
First view of new Volkswagen Golf
07/08/08 13:45 Filed in: News
Five generations, 34 years and over 26 million vehicles after the original first went on sale, the sixth generation of the Golf has been unveiled. Read More...
New Ford Ka out this Autumn
01/08/08 19:33 Filed in: News
Ford has released the first official pictures of the Ford Ka, which is to be launched at the 2008 Paris Motor Show this October. Read More...
Cuteness is more than skin deep
28/07/08 13:06 Filed in: Road tests
Back in my college days, I remember how one of my fellow students fell for the charms of a second hand Fiat 500 which, even in those days was well past its prime. Knowing my interest in cars she would always come to me to ask for advice about its latest ailments. On this particular occasion, the little Fiat displayed no intentions of starting. Frustrated by lack of success with my pokings and proddings, I asked her why, precisely, she had chosen to buy this particular car.
"It looked like it needed a mummy," came the disarming reply. Well the cuteness that worked on my fellow student all these years ago is now back with the new Fiat 500. Read More...
"It looked like it needed a mummy," came the disarming reply. Well the cuteness that worked on my fellow student all these years ago is now back with the new Fiat 500. Read More...
MiTo aims for style conscious young buyers
27/07/08 11:28 Filed in: News
Alfa Romeo's new small, sporty hatchback, the Alfa MiTo, makes its UK public debut at the current British Motor Show. It is the first small Alfa hatch since the days of the much-loved Alfasud. Read More...
How to save £2 on your fuel bills
25/07/08 13:29 Filed in: News
Did you know you can save up to £2 of fuel per week by simply reversing your car into a parking space, so you drive away forwards? That's the amazing claim from the IAM Motoring Trust. Read More...
British Motor Show has new model buzz
24/07/08 19:00 Filed in: News
Whereas the previous Vauxhall Agila was instantly forgettable, the new one at least has some presence. It has a cheeky style and, inside, some fairly loud seat graphics. Read More...
Have an Agila
16/07/08 18:42 Filed in: Road tests
Whereas the previous Vauxhall Agila was instantly forgettable, the new one at least has some presence. It has a cheeky style and, inside, some fairly loud seat graphics. Read More...
Coulthard - "driving is a huge responsibility"
15/07/08 12:35 Filed in: News | Motorsport
Formula One Racing star David Coulthard may be leaving the Formula 1 circuit at the end of the year, but he is still maintaining a close interest in driving and using it to encourage young drivers to share their ideas to produce better, safer drivers. Read More...
BMW's new 7 Series goes hi tech
13/07/08 11:00 Filed in: News
BMW has taken the wraps off its new 7 Series, which will go on sale later this year. While the looks are less controversial than the Chris Bangle design of the fourth 7 Series, under the skin BMW has worked hard to create a car that will win back buyer. The new model, which goes on sale in November, is bristling with technology.
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Citroen – France v Germany
11/07/08 13:31 Filed in: Road tests
We have been here before. From time to time manufacturers cast an envious eye at the reputation of Germany's finest prestige car manufacturers – Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz – and think to themselves 'we would like a slice of that'.
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Audi's A5 delights
10/07/08 19:28 Filed in: Road tests
I remember the launch of the Audi A5 last summer. Bravely, Audi unveiled it alongside the stunning Audi R8 sports car - a move that could have eclipsed the new four-seat coupe, but it did not. The A5 held its own with its classic Audi look, given the slightly more edgy style that we have since seen on the new A4. Read More...
Skoda's compact load carrier
10/07/08 18:59 Filed in: Road tests
You can see how Skoda is thriving as part of the Volkswagen Group by the way it range of models keeps growing. If you count the Skoda Roomster as a Skoda Fabia (which effectively it is) there are now three distinct model choices at the start of the Czech manufacturer's range. Read More...
Are hybrids really good for the environment?
The BBC's 'Top Gear' programme isn't always the most thought-provoking programme on television. Normally it is pure entertainment. However, the recent item about the Toyota Prius did suggest that we think more deeply than many of the Hollywood elite about our evironmentally-friendly motoring solutions. Read More...
Sat-navs need common sense
23/06/08 19:32 Filed in: Comment
We've all heard the story about satellite navigation systems that have encouraged artics into impenetrable situations in vilalges and drivers, who really should have more sense, to try to take their Ford Fiestas through four-foot deep rivers. They are great but you should not just blindly believe them! You still should exercise the common sense you were born with! Read More...
BMW future - cars tailored to suit
13/06/08 10:20 Filed in: News
BMW have released details of their extraordinary GINA project which features a cloth skin body stretched over a frame. It's the new idea from the team headed by Chris Bangle, who caused so much controversy with the introduction of the flame-surface styling. Read More...
Sporting style with economy
10/06/08 07:55 Filed in: Road tests
It's amazing how the BMW 1 Series hatchback with its slightly gawky styling has been transformed into an attractive coupé. But it is such a logical car for BMW. It is very much in tune with the ethos of the German marque. This is, after all, a vehicle with a sporting flavour using the latest engine technology to achieve its expected performance with outstanding economy. Read More...
Seat heads off road
03/06/08 11:37 Filed in: Road tests
When Seat launched its Altea Freetrack 4 it was the Spanish marque's first foray into the off-road market. Based on the long-wheelbase Altea it aims to combine the practicality of an MPV with the ability to take to the the rough(er) stuff. Read More...
Adding style to practicality
02/06/08 16:43 Filed in: Road tests
The first time I saw the new Mini Clubman in the my local Mini showroom as I headed across to the car, one of the staff made me an offer. "Free dog with every Clubman," he quipped with a grin. Read More...
So fuel price increase is nothing to do with tax?
When the Prime Minister and the Chancellor flew to Aberdeen to meet with the bosses of the UK oil industry, Gordon Brown tried to deflect attention from high fuel taxes as the cause for the current fuel price crisis. Instead, he tried to focus attention on fuel supply as the real cause. Read More...
Living in a Materia world
15/05/08 19:24 Filed in: Road tests
I can see where Daihatsu was coming from when they designed the Materia. Nissan and Honda have tried to woo young trendy buyers with cuboid cars. Nissan even call theirs the Cube in the Japanese Market. Daihatsu, too, wants to appeal to younger customers and that is where the Materia comes in. Read More...
Biofuels - vision or mirage?
Everywhere you go these days – particularly in the United States – the talk is of biofuels. People seem to have latched onto the idea that we can grow our own fuel as being the panacea for all our fossil fuel ills.
But, have the supporters of biofuels stopped to think things through? Read More...
But, have the supporters of biofuels stopped to think things through? Read More...
BMW’s Canine Repellent Alloy Protection
01/04/08 09:18 Filed in: News
On April 1, BMW announced the first details of the new Canine Repellent Alloy Protection system. Designed to stop dogs fouling against the sparkling alloys of new BMW cars, the innovative Canine Repellent Alloy Protection system (C.R.A.P.) is the latest offering in the BMW EfficientDynamics programme. Read More...
Average speed cameras could be a threat to safety
28/03/08 09:58 Filed in: Road tests
News of a potential increase in the use of average speed cameras, sends shudder down my spine. It's not that I have any desire to flout the speed limits. I just think that the best place for our eyes to focus, as drivers, is on the road.... not on our speedometers! Read More...
Ford says Tata to Jaguar and Land Rover
26/03/08 13:07 Filed in: News
One of the most open secrets in the motor industry was confirmed at today when the Ford Motor Company made the official announcement of the sale of Jaguar and Land Rover to Tata Motors of India. Read More...
New Tiguan is a great all-rounder
29/02/08 20:20 Filed in: Road tests
When Volkswagen set out to build their new off-roader, the Tiguan, their stated intention was to produce a smaller version of the Touareg. The newcomer certainly looks the part. Like its bigger sibling the lines are classy, perhaps even understated. Indeed, despite its newness, the Tiguan caused little stir. Read More...
Claim that potholes endanger lives
Britain used to be known for the quality of its road surfaces. No, don't laugh, it really did. Manufacturers from this country went to France to give their suspension a serious test, now the continental manufacturers are coming here for testing because our road surfaces are notorious. Read More...
Freelander grows up
24/01/08 19:26 Filed in: Road tests
The Land Rover Freelander, Britain's favourite small 4x4, has grown up. Not that it has grown much bigger, but Freelander 2 is a more sophisticated, more refined and more up-market vehicle to keep the Freelander at the forefront of this market. Read More...
Volkswagen Touareg - the discrete off-roader
11/01/08 12:21 Filed in: Road tests
Drive a big off-roader these days and you may invite some questioning about your need for such a large vehicle. That's a more likely line of questioning if your choice of off-roader carries a badge that presents an image of luxury.
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