The Ford Puma outran all its rivals to sit on the top of Britain’s car sales in 2023, and it’s easy to see why. Ford has a soft-spot for the Puma, first considered using it for a performance version of the Escort and then putting it on the 1997 compact coupe before shelving it a couple of years later, only to resurrect it after 17 years for the present suv series. It has also played about with … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Skoda Karoq Sportline 4×4
It’s a familiar problem; you have to pick up a Christmas tree and somehow get it home along with maybe a few other seasonal plants and excited children. Most motorists resort to tying the netted tree onto their roof and hoping it stays there but the flexible seating in the Skoda Karoq offers a more practical packaging solution unless you have a very long tree. The split folding rear seats drop … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Honda HR-V
Honda is for humans not robots and it shows in their model range with the HR-V. The third SUV in their line-up after the Jazz and CRV, the third generation HR-V comes only with a petrol-electric powertrain utilisig two electric motors and an Atkinson-cycle petrol engine for greater efficiency as a hybrid and it showed with our overall and effortlessly achieved economy. It has been produced … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Audi Q8 e-tron 55 quattro
Audi’s flagship all-electric model is on course to make waves in the luxury sector. The Q8 e-tron available in both SUV and Sportback coupe bodystyles comes with different battery sizes, charging and range potential but all get 4WD. There are four trim levels beginning with Sport, moving onto S line, Black Edition and Vorsprung. All versions can be charge up to 80% capacity in about 30 … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Subaru Outback 2.5ES Touring
Subaru is a bit of a lone-wolf in the car world. Part of Fuji Heavy Industries and founded 70 years ago, it’s the brand’s golden anniversary in Britain next year after it launched with a compact and capable little estate car and pickup at prices which made hundreds of farmers and country-folk very happy. It also became a byword for British fans of the World Rally Championship in the 80s and 90s … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Subaru Solterra Touring
Subaru made its name in Britain with some compact go-anywhere estates before its reputation accelerated through the World Rally Championship. Both disciplines relied on a thoroughly designed and engineered all-wheel-drive system which would put much more expensive and complicated, if less reliable, rivals to shame. Subaru was better where it matters, as their marketing speak says, but that’s … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Genesis Gv60 Premium
Having the right face can open doors for you and this is the thinking behind the latest Genesis GV60 ev. It is the first model to use the company’s new pure electric platform, winning independent awards for its sophistication and performance and has just been updated with a raft of features designed to make owning, driving and enjoying the 'baby-Genesis' a better experience. So, after a very … [Read more...]
Newcomers 21 August
Bentley has added 18-cms to the wheelbase of its Bentayga SUV to create the 180mph Extended Wheelbase Mulliner model now on sale. It features sustainable materials for the seats and trimmings, has distinctive grille and wheels, and is fitted with the familiar 550ps Bentley 4.0V8 petrol engine, 8-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel-drive. … [Read more...]
First drive: Honda ZR-V SUV
Honda’s tightened its hold on the SUV sector with this month’s announcement of the ZR-V, squarely aimed at families and retail buyers. The Japanese car-maker has a very loyal following and while it wishes existing owners will consider the newcomer when they want to change, it also hopes to hook in buyers from other brands as the sector now accounts for almost six-in ten new cars … [Read more...]
Newslines 16 June
Toyota says the all-new Toyota C-HR will make its world debut on 26 June. The premiere event will reveal a sophisticated, compact SUV with edgy design and advanced technologies. Brynmawr annual classic car and bike show will be held in the town centre on Sunday 30 July from 10am. It’s free to enter and will also have spaces for autojumble tables. … [Read more...]