Subaru Outback missing snowy Alps
17/10/11 12:34 Filed in: Road tests
Some years ago Subaru handed myself and a colleague the keys for a Subaru Forester at Heathrow Airport and told us to drive to Geneva. It was a trip that earned a new respect for the Forester which, even in those days, looked a tad dated and in need of an interior makeover.
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Read More...Land Rover's Defender concept
31/08/11 15:55 Filed in: News
How do you replace something as iconic as the original Land Rover, more recently known as the Land Rover Defender?
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Read More...Audi press on with quattro for A1
14/01/11 17:24 Filed in: Blog
Speaking with a motortrade insider about the benefits of four-wheel-drive in winter weather, like we have experienced in this country with a vengeance over the last couple of months.
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New Touareg impresses at a price
21/01/11 15:02 Filed in: Road tests
Ever since Volkswagen came, a little late, to the SUV market with the Touareg, I have had a soft spot for their big off-roader. Designed in parallel with the Porsche Cayenne, it is big, comfortable and very capable.
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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'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...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...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...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...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...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...Volvo takes on the small SUV market
23/10/09 17:28 Filed in: Road tests
Motor manufacturers constantly have to scan the far horizon looking for signs as to what type of car the buyers of the future will want. It takes time to develop a new model, so you have to have a pretty good idea of what will be the expanding markets in the future.
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Read More...Vitara loses individuality
14/07/09 19:37 Filed in: Road tests
When the Suzuki Vitara first hit the UK market it quickly gathered an almost a cult following. Here was a small affordable off-roader with style and presence.
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Read More...Qashquai grows up
25/05/09 20:04 Filed in: Road tests
In my first road test of the Nissan Qashqai I pointed out that – despite its off-roader-meets-MPV looks, it really was just a normal four or five-door hatchback with interesting packaging. Well, now the Qashqai has grown up. Meet the Qashqai +2.
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Read More...Audi's Q5 widens its off-road appeal
05/02/09 09:01 Filed in: Road tests
Anyone familiar with the Audi Q7 will be in no doubt about the manufacturer of the new Audi Q5. It looks pretty much like a more compact, more manageable version of the Q7. And it is.
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Read More...Audi's big off-roader
29/12/06 08:33 Filed in: Road tests
Almost everyone remarks about the Audi Q7’s size. So, if Audi’s intention was to make an impression with their first ever off-roader, they certainly succeeded with the new Audi Q7. Read More...
Renault finally joins 4x4 brigade
25/01/09 11:30 Filed in: Road tests
It has taken the French motor giants some time to take the plunge into the 4x4 market. Peugeot Citroen made the move with the help of Mitsubishi, using the Outlander as the basis for the Citroen C-Crosser and the Peugeot 4007. Now, finally Renault has taken the plunge.
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Read More...Effortless off-roader
10/12/08 09:25 Filed in: Road tests
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...
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...
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...
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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C-Crosser comes late to the party
14/11/07 13:23 Filed in: Road tests
Considering that Citroen has had a long involvement in events like the Dakar Rally, in the tough off-road conditions of the Sahara, it's perhaps surprising that it has taken until now for the famous chevrons to appear on the nose of an off-road vehicle. The new Citroen C-Crosser is the product of international collaboration between Citroen, its sister company Peugeot and Mitsubishi. Read More...
Tribeca opens new market for Subaru
04/08/07 11:24 Filed in: Road tests | Blog
When Subaru first appeared in the UK they were seen as workhorse vehicles for rural types. Pick ups and estate cars with some go-anywhere ability thanks to their four wheel drive system. Then, along came Colin McRae spearheading their high-profile world rally championship successes, Subaru suddenly became the sporty.
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Hybrids can produce headline grabbing economy
18/09/06 15:45 Filed in: Road tests
I find out how to do 57.6 mpg in a 4.7-metre long off-roader (with a little practice and some help from downhill gradients!). Read More...