Vauxhall downsizes engine in hunt for economy
27/12/10 15:45 Filed in: Road tests
As Vauxhall and Opel ride the turbulence following the US bankruptcy of parent company General Motors, the latest Vauxhall Astra will be crucial to how the company fares in coming years. This is the car that will have to face up to the big competitors like the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf.
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Read More...Suzuki Swift surprises
17/12/10 17:08 Filed in: Road tests
If you are in the market for a vehicle in the supermini class, Suzuki has made a strong bid for your custom. Whereas most manufacturers will have, at most, two vehicles to offer the compact hatchback market, Suzuki has four.
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BMW 5 Series Touring test trunkated by snow
16/12/10 16:52 Filed in: Road tests
For four years I drove a BMW 5 Series Touring. So when a BMW 530d SE Touring turned up on the list of cars heading for my appraisal, i was more than a little enthused about finding how one of my favourite cars had matured over recent years. I reckoned without the weather.
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Read More...Audi launches its smallest performance RS
23/11/10 17:51 Filed in: News
Audi has turned up the heat for its A3 range with the launch of a new high performance Audi RS3 Sportback – the smallest Audi RS model ever. Powered by a turbocharged five-cylinder engine, the Audi RS3 accelerates from 0-62 mph in just 4.5 seconds.
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Read More...Honda CRV diesel - a pair of sensible shoes
22/11/10 15:39 Filed in: Road tests
Like most Japanese marques, Honda are relative newcomers to diesel engines. The domestic market wasn’t big on diesel, their most important export market – the USA – definitely wasn’t keen on diesel except for commercials. Only Europe really demanded it.
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Read More...Saab 9-5 pitches for executive market
13/11/10 19:58 Filed in: Road tests
This is the new model that seemed doomed to be stillborn only a few months ago. But, against all the odds, here it is. The new Saab 9-5. And judging by the response to Saab’s potential demise, there are a whole lot of Saab enthusiasts out there ready to reach for their chequebooks.
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Read More...Baby Chevrolet lacks spark
06/11/10 18:35 Filed in: Road tests
Think of Chevrolet and do you think of a big American car? If you do, you are behind the times and this particular Chevrolet is one of the smallest – it’s the Chevrolet Spark and it is powered by a tiny one-litre engine! So no big “coobic inches” V8 here!
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Read More...New car pricing site for UK
06/11/10 15:01 Filed in: News
A new UK car price guide website – priceanycar.com – has recently been launched. Developed by a group of friends, the site owners say the big benefit is that the prices are based on “real cars for sale”.
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All-new Sharan unveiled
20/10/10 19:52 Filed in: News
Volkswagen has opened the order book for its all-new Sharan with prices starting from £22,980 (RRP OTR) for the entry-level S 1.4-litre TSI model.
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Read More...Saab's new 4x4 crossover
20/10/10 19:27 Filed in: News
Just months after its takeover by Spyker, Saab is about to launch a new model at next month’s Los Angeles Auto Show. The new Saab 9-4X is clearly aimed at the growing market for 4x4 crossovers particularly in the USA.
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Read More...Functional Shogun falls short
20/10/10 17:43 Filed in: Road tests
A few years ago I was invited to the launch of the then new Mitsubishi Shogun in Yorkshire. The proud company executives introduced the latest model with a flourish, stating that this was the first time we would have seen it.
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Read More...Manufacturers make leap in drive for economy
15/10/10 18:14 Filed in: News
The average fuel economy of new cars in the UK has improved by 7.64 per cent in the past year, according to a study by DrivenData.
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Read More...Good looks focus attention on Peugeot RCZ
15/10/10 13:18 Filed in: Road tests
I have a soft spot for small sporting Peugeots. It could be something to do with the two Peugeot 205GTIs that I owned in the 1980s. So, when the new Peugeot RCZ coupé turned up in my driveway, I was more than a little interested.
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Read More...New Scottish motoring website
15/10/10 12:21 Filed in: News
Two established Scottish motoring journalists, Jim McGill and Alan Douglas, have joined forces to create the first motoring and motorsport website for Scotland, Scotcars.co.uk.
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Read More...Jaguar unveils C-X75 supercar concept
30/09/10 12:58 Filed in: News
Just ahead of its starring role on their stand at the Paris Motor Show, Jaguar have revealed a supercar concept designed to celebrate 75 years of the famous marque.
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Read More...Roads still a transport priority in the USA
30/09/10 11:51 Filed in: Blog
I’ve just returned from a two-week driving trip in the USA. Although faced by the same financial stringencies we face here in the UK – it was notable that investment in transport, and roads in particular, seems to be continuing apace.
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Read More...Testing times in America
14/09/10 04:17 Filed in: Road tests
Over the years I have been to Death Valley nine or ten times. Yes, I love the place – it’s amazing other worldliness, eye-popping scenery and unbelievable summer heat. But, there is another motoring-related reason. I cannot resist seeing who is out testing what in the super heat of the national park.
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Read More...Mito performance boosted by Cloverleaf
06/09/10 18:49 Filed in: Road tests
The Alfa Romeo Mito joins the growing ranks of chic small hatchbacks with cute looks. I mean, just look at those “puppy dog”eyes and the traditional Alfa front grille. Now the Mito has a new performance addition to the range with the Mito Cloverleaf.
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Read More...If this is the future of green motoring count me in
30/08/10 20:00 Filed in: Road tests
While I was expecting economy, I certainly wasn’t expecting high levels of refinement or agile performance from the Volkswagen Golf Bluemotion. I’ve previously driven the Polo Bluemotion and, while impressed by its economy, low emissions and driveabllity, it would be a stretch to suggest it was a real driver’s car.
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Read More...Volvo S60 - more rewarding by degree
19/08/10 09:20 Filed in: Road tests
With the launch of the new Volvo S60, the Swedish manufacturer clearly has two messages it wants to get across to potential buyers. Well known for safety, they want to tell the world that they now produce stylish cars. They also want to persuade us that the S60 is a real driver’s car.
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Read More...Vauxhall introduces lifetime warranties
05/08/10 16:19 Filed in: News
Vauxhall has ‘set the cat among the pigeons’ with the introduction of a lifetime warranty on all its new cars.
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Read More...Citroen rediscovers style and class
29/07/10 17:04 Filed in: Road tests
The success of the Mini and the Fiat 500 has led car manufacturers to examine how they could grab a slice of the growing market for ultra-chic superminis. One of the latest to aim for a slice of the action is Citroen with the launch of the DS3.
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Read More...Land Rover Discovery 4: Big isn't it, impressive too.
28/07/10 15:42 Filed in: Road tests
As I thought about turning into the multi-storey car park, my eye caught the sign: “Maximum Height 6ft 3in”. Fortunately I had checked before and the Land Rover Discovery was 6 foot 4 inches.... clearly this signified a change of plan!
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Read More...Mini set to return to rallying
28/07/10 12:42 Filed in: News
Mini is to make a return to rallying with ambitious plans to tackle the World Rally Championship, starting with selected rounds in the 2011 series and a full season in 2012.
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Read More...Audi takes wraps of new executive coupé saloon
28/07/10 11:02 Filed in: News
Audi has taken the wraps of its new Audi A7 Sportback, the German manufacturers challenger in the growing market for four-door saloons with coupé looks.
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Read More...Peugeot 3008 is quite appealing
19/07/10 15:22 Filed in: Road tests
I find Peugeot’s numbering system a little bit confusing when it comes to the double zero cars. I can handle 107, 207, 308, 407. But, the 1007 and now the 3008 don’t fit in immediately. That’s probably why the great-looking new Peugeot coupe will use letters RCZ instead of numbers.
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Read More...Ford Galaxy: civilised transport for six, or seven
17/07/10 17:54 Filed in: Road tests
I seem to be guilty of having preconceptions of road test cars lately. The prospect of driving a Ford Galaxy for some days left me wondering whether I really wanted to drive a small bus, usually with just myself on board.
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Read More...Land Rover produces baby Range Rover
01/07/10 18:47 Filed in: News
These are the first official pictures of Land Rover’s new baby Range Rover, released following an exclusive preview in London for guests attending a 40th birthday celebration of Range Rover held in partnership with Vogue magazine.
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Read More...Mini updated to add appeal
30/06/10 19:22 Filed in: News
Mini has given its model range a refresh to face the challenge from other current and future entrants into the chic small hatch market niche.
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Read More...Murray's city car unveiled
29/06/10 19:26 Filed in: News
Gordon Murray – best known for his design of the McLaren F1 supercar and Formula 1 racing cars – has turned his attention to designing a radical new city car.
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Read More...Skoda's executive load carrier
28/06/10 08:52 Filed in: Road tests
So, you want an estate car with more than a touch of luxury and plenty of space to stretch out? If that is your dream, you may have concluded that you need a mortgage, not a loan, to buy the car to match your needs. Read More...
Ford reveals 2011 Mondeo
25/06/10 13:53 Filed in: News
This is Ford’s updated 2011 Mondeo, which will be launched at the 2010 Moscow International Automobile Salon on August 25, before going on sale in the UK in October.
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Read More...Greenest Skoda ever
24/06/10 13:43 Filed in: News
The new Škoda Fabia Greenline II will become the most environmentally-friendly car ever to wear the Škoda badge which goes on sale on sale in the UK next week.
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Read More...Clio Renaultsport targets young enthusiasts
24/06/10 13:00 Filed in: Road tests
I felt a few decades too old. Ideally I can imagine I should have been in my late teens, or early twenties. Even though it was warm week in summer, I would probably still have my white woolly “skully” crammed onto my head and pulled down over my ears to protect them from the non-existent biting wind.
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Read More...Saab 9-3X driven by all fours
19/06/10 19:52 Filed in: Road tests
Just six months ago it looked like Saab was doomed, as reported in my rather blunt, but sad, post ’Saab: The end’.
But, despite everything, here they are and I was handed the keys of the Saab 9-3X Estate. Although the 9-3 has been around for some time, the 9-3X is the four wheel drive version that was just launched at last year’s Geneva Motor Show.
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But, despite everything, here they are and I was handed the keys of the Saab 9-3X Estate. Although the 9-3 has been around for some time, the 9-3X is the four wheel drive version that was just launched at last year’s Geneva Motor Show.
Read More...Saab 9-5 the start of a new era
11/06/10 21:56 Filed in: News
Six months on from the obituaries, against all the odds Saab is back with a brand new model the new Saab 9-5. Started under the ownership of GM, the new car is launched under its new owners Spyker.
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Read More...Nissan 370Z a true hairy sports car
10/06/10 15:18 Filed in: Road tests
There’s no doubting the aspirations of the Nissan 370Z. It is clearly aimed at the style conscious sports car market. But, if that makes you think that it is all style and no performance, think again.
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Read More...New Suzuki Swift unveiled
10/06/10 14:35 Filed in: News
Suzuki has released the first images and preliminary information of the new, third generation Swift which will go on sale in the UK in the Autumn.
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Read More...Renault on the right Latitude
09/06/10 18:54 Filed in: News
Renault has today provided the first glimpse of its latest global family saloon, Latitude.
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Read More...Citroen C3 endears itself
19/05/10 16:27 Filed in: Road tests
Oh, dear! I really shouldn’t have preconceptions when I hear what car is coming up next for test. But, being only human, I do. I was prepared for a rather dull and uninspiring time with the Citroen C3 1.6 HDi. But, in actual fact, I found the little car rather endearing.
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Insight fails to impress
06/05/10 19:23 Filed in: Road tests
I Was really looking forward to driving the Honda Insight. I had never driven one before – indeed I have never driven a hybrid from anyone other than Toyota (including Lexus). So, when I saw it on the road test list, I was eager to see how it compared.
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Read More...Prius revisited. The first hybrid matures well.
23/04/10 15:55 Filed in: Road tests
It is quite a number of years since I last drove the Toyota Prius – the world’s first mass-produced hybrid.
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Read More...Suzuki's chunky hatchback
19/04/10 17:58 Filed in: Road tests
Suzuki is known in the UK for three things – motorcycles, small cars and small off-roaders.
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Read More...Panamera: Can it really be a four seater?
18/04/10 17:40 Filed in: Blog
Ever since I first saw a Porsche Panamera lurking in San Francisco street, before the launch, I’ve been intrigued as to how practical the rear seats actually are.
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Read More...New Volkswagen Touran launched
09/04/10 10:59 Filed in: News
Volkswagen has chosen the Leipzig Motor Show to unveil its refreshed Touran compact MPV.
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Read More...Fastest-ever road-going Ferrari
08/04/10 11:18 Filed in: News
These are the first photos and information on the new Ferrari 599 GTO, the company’s fastest-ever road car.
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No, I did not crash the Pagani Zonda
25/03/10 16:37 Filed in: Blog
For the umpteenth time, it was not me! I did not crash the Pagani Zonda. Yes, I know it crashed very near to where I live. Yes, I have been known to write road tests for magazines.
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Read More...Kia joins the clean elite
22/03/10 15:52 Filed in: Road tests
Kia has recognised the growing customer demand and marketing potential for high economy, low emission ‘eco’-tagged versions of its mainstream models.
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Read More...Hidden danger of 'keyless entry'
22/03/10 15:45 Filed in: Blog
At a convivial lunch last week, with fellow motoring writer friends, I was reminded of the occasion when we found that the downside of keyless entry systems. Read More...
Alfa brings back the Giulietta
07/03/10 19:10 Filed in: News
Alfa Romeo has revived the Giulietta name for its new five door hatchback. Previously this name was used on the attractive to door coupe produced in the 1950s and then again for a series of saloons produced in the 1970s.
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Read More...Bentley announced details of Mulsanne
06/03/10 18:43 Filed in: News
At the Geneva Motor Show, Bentley announced details of its new Mulsanne, stating that it “reaffirms the marque’s intent to create a new flagship Bentley with refined performance, unparalleled levels of interior luxury and coach building skills to the fore”.
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Read More...Audi A1 e-tron extends range with Wankel engine
05/03/10 18:20 Filed in: News
Audi predicts new A1 e-tron concept on its stand at the Geneva motor show. It has an electric drive system, with backup power produced by a small Wankel engine.
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Read More...Seat shows IBE concept car at Geneva
04/03/10 18:01 Filed in: News
Seat took the wraps off its IBE concept car at the Geneva motor show. Described as a compact sports coupe, it is intended to be a zero emission car of the future combining “a sporty and dynamic concept for urban mobility”.
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Read More...Vauxhall shows Flextreme concept
03/03/10 16:11 Filed in: News
Vauxhall has revealed its Flexstream GT/E concept car at the Geneva Motor Show. The Flexstream is described as an extended range electric vehicle designed to achieve power without using fossil fuels.
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Seat Ibiza Cupra tiptoes through snow
01/03/10 17:04 Filed in: Road tests
Our Arctic winter has led to many things being curtailed. Events have been cancelled. Both these, trains and even our own cards have stopped unexpectedly. In my case several times.
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Read More...Ampera prototype drives to Geneva Show
01/03/10 16:37 Filed in: News
The first prototype of Vauxhall’s production Ampera has successfully completed its long-distance drive debut from Rüsselsheim to the Geneva Motor Show. At the wheel for the final leg of the 500-kilometre journey, was Vauxhall CEO Nick Reilly.
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Read More...Chevrolet Cruze not one for the enthusiast
24/02/10 18:15 Filed in: Road tests
The first impressions in the car park were actually quite good. The Chevrolet Cruze looked sharp. It looks distinctive and, in a land of hatchbacks, it stands out by being a saloon.
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Read More...A1 is Audi's new compact supermini
11/02/10 19:37 Filed in: News
Audi say they have ‘shrink-wrapped everything they stands for to create the new A1’. This is their first small hatchback since the Audi A2 and it will be launched at the Geneva Motor Show next month.
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Read More...Nissan Juke, as British as a duke?
11/02/10 19:37 Filed in: News
Nissan has unveiled the new Juke, some weeks before its official launch at next month’s Geneva Motor Show. Following the lead its sibling, Qashqai, the Juke is styled to have the appeal of an SUV, but most models will be only front-wheel-drive.
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Read More...Touareg loses weight and becomes more green
11/02/10 18:13 Filed in: News
Volkswagen’s second generation Touareg has been unveiled and the new car has been on a diet, loosing no less than 200 kg. To help improve its green credentials the new Touareg is up to 20% more fuel efficient than its prececessor and there is also a hybrid version.
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Read More...More detail about way forward for Saab Spyker
02/02/10 14:07 Filed in: News
The intention is that Spyker Cars NV will change its name to Saab Spyker Automobiles NV, with two separate operating companies – Spyker and Saab – focussed on their own particular markets and their own vehicle lines. Read More...
Spyker statement on Saab purchase
27/01/10 11:05 Filed in: News
General Motors Company and Spyker Cars N.V, late yesterday confirmed the details of a binding agreement over the transfer of ownership of Saab Automobile AB of Trollhättan, Sweden.
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Read More...Mini Countryman the new 4x4 Mini
20/01/10 17:56 Filed in: News
The long-expected Mini 4x4 crossover has been announced today. The new Mini Countryman is not only the first MIni to offer four wheel drive, it is also the first with four passenger doors (the Clubman has three passenger doors, the third controversially being on the “wrong” side for the the UK).
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Read More...New Ford Focus unveiled
11/01/10 14:27 Filed in: News
The next-generation Ford Focus has been unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
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Read More...Peugeot celebrates 200th year with new look
08/01/10 20:02 Filed in: News
It was in 1810 that Jean-Pierre and Jean-Frédéric Peugeot turned their father’s cereal mill into a steel foundry and took the Peugeot family into the industrial era.
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Read More...Spyker submits offer on Saab
07/01/10 19:52 Filed in: News
Spyker Cars, of The Netherlands, today confirmed it has made a revised offer to General Motors for the acquisition of Saab Automobile AB.
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