Even before the Volvo mid-sized XC40 SUV range was launched in the UK in April this year it had already been given the 2018 European Car of the Year award and numerous others have followed since then including a Towcar of the Year trophy, writes David Miles. The XC40 has fast become Volvo’s best selling model range which includes the award winning XC60 and XC90 larger SUVs and the new … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Audi A7 Sportback 50 TDI
Bristling with the latest technologies, high performance, striking Coupe five door styling, impeccable quality high class interior and muscular performance, the second generation Audi A7 Sportback is on sale with, of course, premium brand pricing, says David Miles. The newcomer is likely to appeal to customers who want all the latest high-tech features but don’t fancy driving, or … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Peugeot 308GTLine 130 automatic
The Peugeot 308 has been European Car of the Year and is very much up to date now after a comprehensive reworking, writes Robin Roberts. The Peugeot 308 succeeded the 307 in September 2007 with the first generation running until 2013, then voted CoY in 2014 with the second generation and in 2017 it was given a very comprehensive styling, equipment and powertrain makeover. This essentially gave … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Subaru Outback 4WD Estate
The updated Subaru Outback continues to be a 4WD crossover estate, conservatively styled and still very much a niche model from a niche brand but with a loyal customer following,says David Miles. For the 2018 model year the range is limited to just two variants, the £29,995 SE and £33,010 SE Premium. Both use a non-turbo 2.5-litre, four-cylinder ‘Boxer’ flat-four cylinder 175hp petrol engine … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Fiat 500 Convertible s/s
For any car to become an icon is remarkable, but to do it twice is, well, sensational, writes Robin Roberts. There is no doubting the fact that the Fiat 500 has been an unqualified double success, first launching in 1957 and then reborn fifty years later. Since 2007 a staggering two million Fiat 500 models have been built in Fiat’s Tychy, Poland plant and it’s spawned some 30 … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Vauxhall Astra Ultimate 200hp
It’s onwards and upwards in the constantly fast changing motoring world. Take the Vauxhall/Opel brand as an example. Now owned by the French PSA Group it has joined their brand line-up of Peugeot, Citroen and DS. Keeping their popular Astra mid-sized family car range future proof Vauxhall have just added two Euro 6d-TEMP engines to its award winning range in readiness for the new … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Citroen C4 Cactus Flair 110hp
France has come back to take the world cup, and Citroen is doing the same with its latest three-cylinder petrol engines going toe-to-toe with diesels. Years ago it would have been unthinkable that a petrol engine could match diesel for economy but the company’s admirable 110hp triple is one of the best. True, it’s not that powerful with 205Nm from 1,500rpm and it can become noisy when … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Citroen C3 Flair 1.2 110hp petrol 5dr
School's over for thousands of teenagers this week but the long summer break will see many begin new lessons learning to drive, says David Miles. So I thought I would put Citroen’s best selling C3 five-door ‘supermini’ range to test after it won ‘Driving Instructor Car of the Year’ title in the 2018 FirstCar Awards. FirstCar is the dedicated resource for learner and newly qualified … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Mazda MX5 2.0 Z-Sport
Summer is never complete for me without testing the latest Mazda MX5 roadster, writes Robin Roberts. It is arguably the most successful modern sports car and exudes excitement from its simple but clean lines and combines ability with agility so it covers the miles and makes winding country roads a delight to drive as well. It’s really no wonder it was to Mazda that Fiat turned to when it … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: MINI Cooper S Convertible
The Mini brand when British owned, or MINI now under the control of Germany’s BMW Group, celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2019. This year the Convertible celebrates its 25th anniversary after going on sale in 1993 as the Rover Mini Cabriolet. Although now German owned, Oxford Plant remains the British home of MINI although some models are built in other countries now to meet the … [Read more...]