THE 2014 BMW 5 Series is more of the same but better, writes David Miles. During 41 years there have been six generations of the BMW 5 Series large executive car range and the latest line-up of Saloon, Touring estate and Gran Turismo five door coupe styled hatchback are now getting their mid-life updates for the 2014 model year. But it will take a sharp eye to see the differences. They are … [Read more...]
First Drives
Nissan Note and Micra double the trouble for rivals with more to come
Nissan’s doubled its challenge in Britain’s city car segment with the roll out of the new Note and Micra, both built in Washington, Tyne and Wear. The latest models in the the B-segment combine new looks with sector-first technologies and innovation and there’s a new Juke model as well. Seamlessly connecting design and technology, the new Note brings a number of innovative premium features to … [Read more...]
Audi A3 family grows up
The Audi A3 Saloon is their new “world car” and joins a revitalised S3 and S3 Sportback series at the end of this month. From its launch in 1993, the A3 has taken Audi into new sectors across Europe but the arrival of the latest derivative, the saloon A3 is designed to appeal to more US and Chinese buyers and boost the brand as a result. Its arrival this autumn will also put the A3 Saloon … [Read more...]
Weekend road test: New Vauxhall Insignia
Britain’s leading best selling medium sized car is going to be even tougher for rivals to catch as the new super-slippery aerodynamic Vauxhall Insignia hits the road in October. And helping to keep it ahead of the field its prices have been cut by thousands of pounds below the previous versions. The most aerodynamic D-segment car, which has consistently led its rivals in the UK, is not only … [Read more...]
Citroen Picasso impresses at a stroke
High hopes are riding with the new Citroen Picasso. The first Picasso was launched in 1999 as the Xsara and sales of all Citroen’s C3/C4 MPV models have almost reached 400,000 units in the UK. The new C4 Picasso is slightly more compact than the outgoing model being 40mm shorter in length with reduced overhangs, wider tracks, a lower position for the engine block and vehicle floor and the … [Read more...]
S-Cross marks the spot for Suzuki sales drive
Crossovers, lifestyle SUV look-alikes, fuel efficient, tax friendly, compact and roomy, but not all with four wheel drive, are hugely popular and there has been a boom in new model introductions. The latest model range is the Suzuki SX S-Cross five door with two and four wheel drive, petrol and diesel models. They will be in UK showrooms this month with sales starting from 1 October with … [Read more...]
BMW 4 Coupe readies for Oktoberfest
The new BMW 4 Series Coupe makes its World premiere at the Frankfurt motor show in September before going on sale in the UK in October, but for us motoring journos its UK debut was on the near deserted and challenging roads in the north of Scotland. Although the new 4 Series two door Coupe is the replacement for the 3 Series Coupe, the newcomer is based on the recently introduced 3 Series Saloon … [Read more...]
Chevrolet Trax into the booming compact SUV sector
New models keep being added to the now trendy, must-have, ‘supermini’ SUV or Crossover segment of the new car market. The latest arrival is the Chevrolet Trax five-door range with two and four wheel drive, petrol and diesel models from £15,495 to £20,495. Although it wasn’t the first compact SUV, the Japanese did them decades ago mainly for their congested home market, the Nissan Juke … [Read more...]
All change for summer with Suzuki Swift series
The popular Suzuki Swift range has undergone a summer wardrobe change. There are new five-door body features and styling, a new deep blue colour and the addition of new trim, while underneath there are revised powertrains with greener and cheaper to tax models as the Swift tones up for the September sales fight. Significantly as autumn and winter approach, the range is boosted by the … [Read more...]
Light fantastic Range Rover Sport
When the new Range Rover Sport goes on UK roads or off them in the next few weeks, the all-new five door models will weigh in at up to 420kg less than the outgoing versions. This 33% weight saving is equivalent to five passengers and their luggage, although it still weighs nearly 2.2-tonnes. The new models use the same type of aluminium monocoque body construction and suspension components as … [Read more...]