A GT Sport Nav+ model has been added to the revised Mazda CX-5 range of 2WD and AWD models with petrol or diesel engines. All models now come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto together with revised suspension but the new trim includes real wood and satin chrome fascia highlights, new interior lights and 19-inch bright alloys. Almost one-in-three new cars sold in Norway last year was pure … [Read more...]
Newcomers: Cars
Sunday drives: Unsettling ride for motor industry
Seated at my keyboard responding to a request to write a review of the year from the 100 or so new or updated cars we have tried and tested this year, it’s difficult to know where to begin, says David Miles. 2018 started on a poor note with the fallout from the Volkswagen Group emissions scandal still continuing and it seems other brands were guilty as well. This has dampened customer … [Read more...]
Newslines 21 December
The VW Arteon five-seat coupe is now available to order with a new 272ps 2.0 TSi engine and seven speed automatic transmission. The flagship 4WD model comes in two trim levels from £39,065 and £39,850. Only four out of ten UK motorists (41%) would call the Police if they thought a car was being driven by a drunk driver. A quarter would ignore it completely if they saw a car meandering in … [Read more...]
Newslines 18 December
Car-parts entrepreneur Ian Warhust has stepped in to save the Bloodhound supersonic speed project after it went into administration in November. The 1,000mph Bloodhound team said it is being bought for an undisclosed amount by the Barnsley businessman and a future plan will be unveiled in January. As many as 20 million individual Christmas leisure trips will take place this week in the … [Read more...]
Newslines 11 December
SEAT has now opened for ordering on its first large SUV and new flagship model, Tarraco, coming to Britain early 2019. The seven-seater, which sits above Arona and Ateca to complete the Spanish brand’s SUV line-up, is attracting attention with its high level of standard spec: metallic paint, 17” Alloys, DAB, alarm and Full Link for just £28,320. Alex Smith is to return to Volkswagen Group UK … [Read more...]
Mid-week motoring: Honda Civic Saloon
With no Estate version in the tenth generation Honda Civic range, until now only available in five door Hatchback form, now Honda has extended the Civic’s appeal by adding four door Saloon versions, writes David Miles. Unlike the Hatchback and Type R built in the UK for global sales, the Civic Saloon is built in Turkey for European markets. Available with 1.0-litre three … [Read more...]
Mid-week motoring: Suzuki Vitara upgraded
On sale early in 2019, although UK order books were opened in September, is the upgraded Suzuki Vitara with mild styling updates but more notable are new engine options and specification upgrades, says David Miles. Priced from £16,999 to £25,649 the nine variant 2019 model line-up sees 1.0-litre and 1.4-litre Boosterjet turbocharged petrol engines replacing the previous 1.6-litre 120hp petrol … [Read more...]
Old name is latest to arrive in UK dealerships
Stuttgart-based Borgward Group AG has entered into a strategic partnership with the automotive sales specialist International Motors and IM Group Ltd for the British and Irish markets. Contracts are close to being finalised with IM Group’s Nordic and Baltic businesses and a Memorandum of Understanding was signed on Wednesday to confirm their intention to import Borgward in the UK and … [Read more...]
Newslines 27 November
Commuters face three weeks of travel chaos on Wales' rail network just weeks after it was taken over by Welsh Government's Transport for Wales. The effect of storms on ageing trains means an "unprecedented" third of the fleet of 127 are damaged, so many will not run or be replaced by buses and Transport for Wales said they are trying to "share the pain" by diverting trains from quieter to more … [Read more...]
Mid-week motoring: Aston Martin twin-test
The Aston Martin story has all the excitement, luxury, twists and turns of a good James Bond book, but the reality in your hands is an exclusive range of high performance sports cars which now include the DB11 Volante and Vantage coupe, writes Robin Roberts. These are the latest additions to the range which comprise limited edition and Continuation models for the uber-rich AM enthusiasts and … [Read more...]