Ford aims to punch above its weight with the latest EcoSport, writes Robin Roberts. It was launched in South America in 2004 but the model we know today is the second generation which appeared in 2012, was updated in 2014 and again in 2017 for global sale, and manufactured in six plants. Currently in the UK there are nearly 20 versions of the EcoSport in ST-Line, Titanium … [Read more...]
Roadtests
Sunday drive: Volvo V60 D4 estate
For over 60 years Volvo has built roomy, practical estates and the second generation V60 follows that tradition with a classy dynamic and elegant range, says David Miles. Sold by Ford eight years ago Volvo is now under the parentage of the Chinese Geely organisation but remains autonomous in most ways still developing their own Scandinavian innovative design-led models. The launch of the … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Toyota RAV4 Icon Tech 4×2
Hybrids powertrains are the in-thing at the moment, but that’s not a surprise to Toyota who started development nearly 50 years ago and were among the first to put one on sale 25 years ago. Alongside hybrid technology, Toyota were working on the world’s modern first compact SUV and showed us the RAV4 in the mid 1990s. Come up to date and we have the two sectors merged in the RAV4 Hybrid series … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: New Ford Mustang Convertible 5.0 V8
The first official Ford Mustangs came to Europe and the UK in early 2016 and now we have the updated 2018/19 versions with added safety equipment, revised engines, increased personalisation options and a variety of styling tweaks, writes David Miles. As before the Mustang is available in two-door 2+2 seater Fastback Coupe and Convertible forms, but now with the choice of … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Audi A8 L 55 TFSI Quattro
When you think of ‘Super Luxury’, you think of the British titans Bentley and Rolls-Royce, writes Rhys Roberts. The giants of comfort, luxury and speed are at the top of any chauffeur’s list. The last thing you would expect is to have a German brand encroaching into this market, but Audi has managed to re-write the ‘David and Goliath’ story with the Audi A8 L. Okay, I know what you’re … [Read more...]
First drive: New Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV 4h SUV
The new 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle five seater SUV with 4WD is now available in the UK priced from £34,255 including the Government’s £2,500 plug-in vehicle grant, writes David Miles. It is available at launch with five specification levels, Juro, 4h, 4hs, 5h and 5hs with the top model priced at £43,100. The best selling version is expected to be the 4h variant … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Honda Jazz 1.5 i-VTEC Sport Navi
The Honda Jazz might hit the right notes for some, writes David Miles. The supermini sized B-segment five door is one of Honda’s best sellers in the UK but is no longer built in this country as production for global markets at their Swindon plant has been given over to the latest Civic C-segment hatchbacks. Over seven million Jazz units have been sold globally since the first generation model … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Hyundai Kona SE 1.0 pet. 2WD
While it takes its name from a Hawaiian island, the Hyundai Kona is really more of a landmark in the mainstream SUV sector. Kona is available in 11 versions based on five trim levels powered by choice of new 115 or 136 six or seven speed 1.6 turbo-diesels, alongside 120ps 1.0 2WD six speed and 177ps 1.6 AWD petrol engines, all sharing a five-door SUV-styled body. Our … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Ford Fiesta Active X
There is a global love affair with SUVs, 4x4’s, off-roaders and crossovers, call them what you will, and they come in all sizes and capabilities at hugely varying cost. But the demand has been so great that it has even spawned SUV styling to be added to affordable hatchbacks and expensive premium brand saloons/estates as manufacturers cash-in on the craze. The newest of the sudo-SUV arrivals … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Mitsubishi ASX 1.6 2WD
Mitsubishi has always risen to a challenge. It has produced some memorable models and then moved on but with a few exceptions like the popular Shogun and Pickups, but they have also set benchmarks with models like the Outlander MPV PHEV and it seemed only a matter of time before they entered the booming Crossover sector with their ASX. That was in 2010 and there have been four generations of … [Read more...]