Fiat Professional’s New Ducato is the first commercial vehicle to have level 2 autonomous Advanced Driver Assistance Systems. The New Ducato offers a range of technologies aimed at improving the driving experience while making the Ducato a safer environment for work or leisure. Inclusion of technology like Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop&Go function, Lane Keep Assist and Traffic Jam … [Read more...]
End of the road for some familiar cars, say Vehicle Contracts
Motor leasing company Vehicle Contracts has conducted in-depth research to find out which car models are expected to disappear completely from UK roads in the next decade and there are a few surprises. The Rover 25, the update of the Rover 200 Series, could be gone from the UK by mid-2023. This iconic car which was created by Rover was a staple in the ‘90s and ‘00s but sadly, only has a … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Fiat 500e Icon
The gradual return to city living, working and commuting will give a boost to the new generation of environmentally friendly small cars, and few makers have as much experience as Fiat, writes Robin Roberts. The Italian brand built its reputation on baby cars, particularly in the second half of the 20th century, and it's looking towards the future with the latest electric versions of its … [Read more...]
What Car? reliability reports throw up surprises
The UK’s most and least reliable new and used cars have been revealed in the 2021 What Car? Reliability Survey from Britain’s leading new car buying platform and consumer champion. Feedback from more than 16,000 car owners was analysed to find the country’s most dependable 178 models and 30 brands aged up to five years old. A record six models achieved 100%: the current versions of the Audi TT, … [Read more...]
Britain’s best vans carry off plaudits
Vanarama has carried out an in-depth study to uncover the most reliable vans and pick-up trucks. It compiled data from warranty claims, MoT tests, and specialist media's survey of van operators. Budget Small Van Winner – Fiat Doblo RRP starting from £13,995 Perhaps coming as a surprise to some, the Fiat Doblo scored very well in Vanarama’s analysis of reliability. In a survey of the … [Read more...]
Dealers happy with manufacturers relationships
It is positive that despite the significant disruption faced over the past twelve months, dealers are on average fairly satisfied with the relationship with their respective manufacturers, said Sue Robinson, Chief Executive of the National Franchised Dealers Association. Average levels of dealer satisfaction with the support received through the pandemic by respective manufacturers remained … [Read more...]
Newslines 8 March
Maria Teresa de Filippis was the first woman to qualify for a Formula 1 Grand Prix, behind the wheel of a Maserati 250F and her story of passion and audacity has inspired Maserati to celebrates her achievements on the occasion of International Women’s Day, 8 March. Born in Naples in 1926, in 1948 she participated in her first race winning the 10 km Salerno-Cava de 'Tirreni, 500cc class of the … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Fiat 500X Sport 150
Fiat know a lot about turning the ordinary into the extra-ordinary, like they have with the hotter version of the very popular 500 series, writes Robin Roberts. Their best seller for 60 years, the Fiat 500 is boosted by the X Sport, given a beefier 150bhp 1.3 litre four-cylinder engine in the top model tested with a silky automatic transmission & column paddles. If you’ve had a good … [Read more...]
Rare and rarer & ready to be picked up for peanuts
There are some of Britain’s true automotive gems. And we don’t mean the obvious one-offs and models that were launched so long ago there are only one or two left. Where’s the fun in that? CarleaseSpecialOffers said you might think Ferrari owners enjoy exclusivity, but you’d be wrong. Sort of. Even the Ferrari 812 Superfast – a 6.5-litre, 789bhp grand tourer – isn’t as rare as the Fiat … [Read more...]
When a car is not enough
The Ford Transit van entered the best-selling used car list for the first time in 2020, in a year in which online deliveries grew substantially, says AA Cars, the AA’s used car website. The Ford Transit was the ninth best-selling used vehicle of 2020, as a growing number of people who had lost work or been made redundant turned to delivery driving to bolster their income. With millions of … [Read more...]