Some manufactures already offer various solutions to meet owner’s practical needs in being able to make those longer trips at-will yet reduce the CO2 emissions their vehicles emit, writes David Miles. Take as an example Kia, the South Korean brand, which has become hugely popular in the UK with annual sales edging towards 100,000-units. Their vast range of petrol, diesel electric, hybrid and … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Cupra Ateca 2.0 TSI 4Drive 300hp
You’ve heard the name Cupra before, it’s been used and still will be for the name of SEAT’s most potent sports models, but this time its reborn, writes David Miles. The first Cupra was developed by SEAT Sport and launched as the Ibiza Cupra in 1996 but now Cupra is being launched as a standalone sports brand and its first offering is the 153mph Cupra Ateca sports SUV. In the future Cupra … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Kia Picanto 1.0 T-GDi GT-Line S
The Kia Picanto 1.0 T-GDI GT-Line S is a rarity, and it’s all the better for that. In a market dominated by so many look-alike, take-it-or-leave-it cars, the Picanto not only visually stands out but leaves others standing in the Formula Fun race. You cannot help but turn and look at this cheeky chappie and if you slip behind the wheel you’ll emerge with a wide smile of satisfaction. If you are … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Ford Focus Active X estate 2.0L EcoBlue
Ford has added a new member to its Active family, writes David Miles. The Focus Active is available as a five door hatchback or estate and joins their Fiesta Active and Ka+ Active line-up. Ford Active models are termed crossovers models combining mild SUV styling whilst retaining the brand’s strong driving dynamics. Active specification includes raised ground clearance and driving … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Citroen C5 Aircross Flair Plus 130hp
The new Citroen C5 Aircross was launched in the UK in February and gave the French brand its entry into the medium-sized SUV market, writes David Miles. But this vehicle’s design comes with a twist thanks to Citroen’s expertise with producing a long-line of MPV people carriers over a number of decades. Whilst the exterior and front interior design is very much a modern but conventional SUV, … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Ford Fiesta ST2 3dr
Fast Fords have been a mainstay of company sales and motorsport for decades and the newest Fiesta ST continues this remarkable tradition. The baby Ford has consistently been Britain’s best selling small car. The higher performance sporting stablemates have been eagerly snapped up by those who want fun on a frugal budget. Whether that’s a second or third hand Fiesta, or the newest … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Ford Kuga ST-Line Edition 2.0 TDCi
The Ford Kuga five door mid-sized SUV was introduced in 2008, the second edition in 2016 and the third generation is due from 2020 with Mild Hybrid, Plug-In Hybrid and Full-Hybrid powertrains plus petrol and diesel engine options, writes David Miles. But before the all-new Kuga appears with its new global C2 architecture/platform, I have just had a driving week with the latest … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: VW T-Roc Design 1.6TDI
Volkswagen were quick to enter the MPV market yet took their time when it came to the modern SUV sector, but it’s been worth the wait for the medium-sized T-Roc. There’s a very wide range of T-Roc models from which to choose with petrol or diesel engines, manual and automatic transmissions and a number of trim levels, all carefully packaged to tempt you to move on … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Kia ProCeed 1.6 CRDi GT-Line
The ProCeed is what Kia calls a shooting brake and people of an older generation might remember Hillmans, Humbers, Standards and such like, with a boxy load area, sometimes made of wood, with two side hinged rear doors, tacked onto the rear of a four door saloon, writes David Miles. As its name then suggested it was an extension of a conventional saloon which could accommodate … [Read more...]
First drive: VW T-Cross
With SUV styled vehicles now taking close to, or in some countries, over 40% of the new car market, manufacturers from budget to luxury brands have wasted no time in covering all angles in terms of size, performance and price, writes David Miles. Another new SUV range is now joining the fray, the Volkswagen T-Cross, an urban SUV which sits below in size and price their popular T-Roc … [Read more...]
