As I sat in yet another stationary long line of traffic I wondered just how useful or practical was the 174mph Audi RS 3 Saloon. Official figures recently released by the Department of Transport show UK drivers faced on average a delay of 46-seconds for every mile they travelled on A-roads. With a record number of 37.3-million vehicles on our roads we motorists have travelled a … [Read more...]
Roadtests
Christmas roadtest: Aston Martin DB11 V12 Coupe
The ultimate Christmas present for any enthusiastic British driver must see an Aston Martin on a wish-list, or better still, in their drive, writes Robin Roberts. And it couldn’t come at a better time with the DB11 redefining their new direction and business plan to build on established values with modern ideas. Part of the “second century” plan will see Aston Martin roll out a new … [Read more...]
Funky and glitzy VW T-Roc arrives
Yet another new range of compact SUVs are arriving now in the UK, this time it’s the VW T-Roc entering their 190 dealership this week. Television advertising with the T-Roc’s ‘Bam the Ram’ and advertising strapline ‘Born Confident’ launches on Boxing Day. It should make you smile in a sheepish sort of way. The T-Roc sees Volkswagen enter a new market segment for them with this eye-catching … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Renault Captur Dynamique S Nav TCe 90
First shown as a concept compact SUV vehicle in 2011 the Renault Captur came to market in 2013 and has undergone a continuous evolution since then keeping it at the top of the evermore competitive compact SUV segment. In 2015 and 2016 it was Europe’s best-selling B-segment SUV reaching 215,679 sales last year and although the final figures for this year will not be published for a … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Kia Sportage KX5 2.0 CRDi Auto
We all know it’s the little things which really can make a difference and Kia has taken this fact to heart in the Sportage. The fourth-generation of their best-selling model had a lot to live up to, but listening to owners’ opinions and to some extent media reports Kia has come up with another winner and a very tough model for its rivals to challenge. Since the beginning of 2016 the latest … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Volvo S90 D5 PowerPulse AWD R-Design
Volvo’s premium brand executive S90 four door large saloons and V90 estates 2WD/AWD models came to market in September 2016 and this was followed earlier this year by AWD D4/D5 Cross Country V90 estates and the T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid petrol/electric powertrain for both the S90 and V90 ranges. And it’s just been announced that S90/V90 models are to gain a T4 190hp turbo petrol … [Read more...]
New Fiat 500L is appealing but struggles
The 500L launched in 2013 in the UK was an extension of the new generation Fiat 500 city car launched in 2007. That generation was a modern interpretation of the original Fiat 500, also known as The Cinquecento, launched 60 years ago in 1957. The family was further extended in 2015 with the introduction of the Fiat 500X Crossover. The Fiat 500L was introduced as a five seater MPV … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Audi SQ7 4.0 TDI quattro tiptronic
The Audi SQ7 really has given the luxury SUV sector a kick – or more accurately, an electric shock. It is the first series production car to be fitted with an electric compressor used to eliminate turbo-lag and boost acceleration. The result has to be experienced to be appreciated, and that’s quite an experience which transforms the 2.3 tonne seven-seater with sports car … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Nissan Qashqai N-Connecta 1.5 dCi 110
The Nissan Qashqai is a C-SUV segment mid-sized ‘Crossover’ first launched in 2007 and is generally credited with launching the term Crossover. In real terms what does Crossover mean, well the space of a C-segment family hatchback with the raised ride height and styling of an SUV and some models also add the seating and load carrying flexibility of an MPV people carrier. Since the launch of … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Lexus IS300h
The market for compact sports saloons is arguably one of the toughest and was dominated by the German brands, until the arrival of the ‘baby’ Lexus. That all changed in 1999 when the first petrol Lexus IS200 hit the road and we are now into the third generation offering the pure petrol IS200t, or as here, a hybrid petrol & electric powertrain in the IS300h. Using the parent Toyota company’s … [Read more...]