We know MPVs or ‘people-carriers’ have lost out in terms of sales throughout Europe to the status enhancing and fashionable SUV/Crossover type models, but the tide could turn because customers who prefer practicality as opposed to following fashion have plenty of alternative new and revised MPV models to choose from. One such range is the second generation Touran seven-seater MPV priced from … [Read more...]
Roadtests
Weekend roadtest: Suzuki Baleno 1.0 Boosterjet SZ5
The new Suzuki Baleno comes from a comparatively small company but don’t be surprised if it makes itself heard in a big way. While the familiar family hatchbacks are probably well known, the new five-door from Suzuki is less so but it’s technology is headturning. Launched earlier in June, the simple four-model range from about £13,000 to £15,350 offers a choice of 111ps 3cyl 998cc Boosterjet … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Mini Clubman All4 Estate
The Mini Clubman estate with ALL4 is the first all-wheel-drive Mini to come off the Plant Oxford production lines. The SUV styled Mini Countryman All4 versions to date have been built by Magna Steyr in Austria. The Clubman All4 line up is the Cooper S and Cooper SD and prices start from £24,305. The new generation and larger Mini Clubman, six door estates were officially … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Maserati Quattroporte diesel
Royalty and racing drivers have experienced the uniqueness that is Maserati. Few marques today can have claimed to have taken the world’s best drivers to F1 titles, carried Italian honour first across the line at the introverted-Indianapolis 500 and also been the luxury car of choice by crowned heads in Europe and Asia. Maserati has attained all of these and it is still a rarity on our roads … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Kia Picanto for silver anniversary
During 25 years of trading in the UK, Kia has sold over 750,000 cars, almost half in the last five years and the target is to reach the one million mark by 2020, helped by models such as the Picanto city car. Kia was established in South Korea in 1944 building bicycles, then motorcycles and eventually cars. In Kia’s first year in the UK market they recorded 1,800 sales, a figure that it now … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Mazda MX5 SE-L Nav
Britain and sports cars go hand in driving glove, which explains the remarkable success of the Mazda MX-5. Since its launch in 1989, the agile two-seater has been a remarkable success among UK buyers and the latest fourth generation of the iconic car, which has won numerous awards for styling and engineering, is undoubtedly one of the best. Mazda has always kept to the original concept of a … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: New Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
For the first time in its history, Toyota’s mid-sized five door RAV4 SUV range includes a petrol/electric hybrid power source option in its line up of two and four wheel drive, petrol and diesel models. The 2016 range now includes a new 2.0-litre D-4D 141bhp turbodiesel engine for 2WD versions, a revised 2.0-litre 149bhp petrol unit for 4WD versions and the new 2.5-litre petrol/electric motor … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Jaguar XF Portfolio 2.0d i4 180
It’s easy to see why Jaguar is riding the crest of a sales wave when you experience the mid-range XF Portfolio. Sitting between the smaller XE and larger XJ, the XF blends elements of the smaller and bigger models to fine effect. Redesigned using the latest and advanced computational fluid dynamics it is shorter than the first generation XF but has a longer wheelbase for … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: New Mini Convertible
A brace of new Mini models is coming of the UK production lines at Plant Oxford which this year celebrates its 15th anniversary of Mini production under the ownership of BMW Group. Arriving in time for summer is the new Mini Convertible priced from £18,475 to £28,205 with a four car line-up of Cooper, Cooper DS, Cooper S and John Cooper Works. Last year Mini globally built 340,000 cars, … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Infiniti Q30 Premium 1.6 2WD
Timing is everything when it comes to selling cars. The Infiniti Q30 Premium 1600 with 2WD is pitched into the heart of the booming SUV sector and it’s the latest model to come out of the highly successful Sunderland vehicle assembly plant operated by Nissan, the parent company of Infiniti. It’s stylish and looks the part of an SUV with a choice of 2WD or AWD, is well made and … [Read more...]