The BMW 5 Series has gone through six generations spanning 45 years totalling 7.9 million global sales and its success in longevity and sales terms means it has always been the benchmark range for the executive car sector, says David Miles. The new seventh generation 5 Series Saloon arrived in February and shortly the Touring Estate arrives plus a wider range of engines for … [Read more...]
Roadtests
Weekend roadtest: Lexus RX450h F Sport 4WD
While some manufacturers are now running to catch up in the hybrid race, Lexus is still comfortably ahead and showing them how things should be done, writes Robin Roberts Lexus and parent Toyota Group were among the first to apply hybrid technology to their ranges over two decades ago and the models which can potentially benefit most are the big SUV type RX series. The latest and current … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Renault Grand Scenic
Sales of MPV ‘people carriers’ have in recent years dropped in popularity due to the public’s switch to the now more desirable but less practical people carrying SUVs and Crossover type vehicles, says David Miles. MPV sales dropped a further 4.3% in the UK last year and 3.1% in Europe. But the industry has responded by making the latest generation MPVs more stylish than just being a boxy family … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: BMW X4 3.0d M Sport
Marking boxes is what it’s about with the BMW X4, says Robin Roberts. This beefy brother to the 3 Series was introduced to fill a niche of the market where Audi, Porsche, even Land Rover, have been plugging away with their SUVs. Without losing the 3 Series agility, the X4 brings added ability with its intelligent all-wheel-drive transmission and that is useful on slippery roads or … [Read more...]
Vauxhall Insignia makes its mark
The smooth new Vauxhall Insignia will ruffle some feathers among rivals, says Robin Roberts. Bigger, lighter, more economical and better equipped than the original Insignia launched in 2008, the Insignia Mk2 is now on sale as a five-door hatchback from £17,115 to £26,445. It will later this summer be joined by a Sports Tourer semi-estate version costing about £1,500 more for each … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Mini goes maxi
In the 58-year history of Mini , the all-new second generation Countryman five door Crossover/SUV type is the largest ever to go on sale, says David Miles. UK deliveries started in February with prices from £22,465 and running through a 17 model range up to £32,275. These on-the-road prices will marginally incrase after the new First Year VED rates come into force from April. Currently the … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Mazda CX- 5 AWD 2.2
In an industry that thrives on awards and recognition, the trophy for modesty would go to Mazda, writes Robin Roberts To many it’s a one-model marque made famous by the sporting MX-5, but in reality and among those in the know, there is a much bigger range behind it including hatchbacks, business executive models, and SUVs. The CX-5 SUV is one of the least known of its type and probably not … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Suzuki Ignis SZ5
Is it a City Car competing with the likes of the Fiat 500, Hyundai i10 or the new Ford Ka+ or is it a small SUV like the Fiat Panda 4x4 or the Fiat 500X or the Renault Captur, ponders David Miles. Actually the all-new, high-stance Suzuki Ignis is a bit of both as some versions are front wheel drive and another version offers Allgrip 4x4 traction. All major manufacturers seem to offer small, … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: VW Amarok Aventura 3.0V6
Big, bold and you can bet it’ll turn heads, the VW Amarok is the alternative luxury SUV, says Robin Roberts. Built with America squarely in its sight over one of the biggest bonnets you’ll ever see looming in your rear view mirror, the Amarok is for the family or business which needs capacity and doesn’t want to compromise on quality. There are 12 models in the range offered in five trim … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: DS 5 Prestige BlueHDi 180
DS 5 what’s that, I can hear you say, explains David Miles. Well it’s the top of the DS range and DS if you remember is the stylish premium brand arm now divorced from the Citroen line-up but it still lives under the PSA Peugeot-Citroen roof. As of March 2017 PSA now owns GM’s Vauxhall and Opel brands now making them second in size in Europe to the VW Group of brands. Now … [Read more...]