First Drives

Mazda6 brings many technologies together in thoughtful package

6 June 2013

Mazda’s out of the box thinking is changing what’s going on inside “the box” and its latest generation models. The Mazda6 and CX-5 crossover are the first models to completely embrace the latest raft of technologies it calls Skyactiv. Instead of going down the hybrid or electric vehicle route for the mass market, Mazda is instead working on optimising … [Read more...]

Weekend roadtest: Audi SQ5

25 May 2013

A new high speed, high specification version of Audi’s Q5, five door, mid-sized 4x4 SUV range is now available. The newcomer is the £44,055, SQ5 3.0-litre TDI version, the first Audi ‘S’ model ever to be powered by a diesel engine. For many of the Audi model ranges the ‘S’ specification is the midway point in terms of equipment and performance, … [Read more...]

BMW 3 Series GT is bigger but not better

18 May 2013

The 3 Series is BMW’s globally best selling model range and in the UK is the best selling premium brand car. Global sales are up by 20% again this year. Last year in the UK’s top ten sales chart of best selling cars the 3 Series range finished in seventh position overall with 44,521 registrations, impressive for an expensive premium brand of executive … [Read more...]

New Kia Carens incentives begin with a great deal

4 May 2013

It’s has to be one of the deals of the decade, turning £300 into £3,000. The current Glass’s Guide price for a 13 year old Kia Carens is about £300, but put that car in against a new top-spec Mk3 Carens and Kia will slash £3,000 from the price of nearly £23,900. Even if you have one of the original models now valued at about £250 in the trade bible and … [Read more...]

Audi RS5 looses its roof & some refinement in Cabriolet version

20 April 2013

It appears summer might be here soon so it’s a timely arrival by Audi for their new RS 5 Cabriolet. This is a 4.2-litre, V8, twin-turbo, petrol 444bhp, 174mph, 2+2, two-door, soft-top performance stunner with a price to match at £68,985 plus extra cost packs and options. Gillian Headings, Audi UK’s product manager for the A5 said at the media launch … [Read more...]

New Mitsubishi Mirage – more than an illusion

12 April 2013

After years of falling sales, the high value of the Yen against the Pound, earthquakes in Japan, flooding in Thailand, failed alliances with Volvo, Daimler and Chrysler, not to mention an aging range of models, no wonder Mitsubishi Motors has fallen on hard times in Europe. But now things are improving, the exchange rate for the Pound v Yen is better … [Read more...]

British sales a priority for new Citroen DS3 Cabrio

30 March 2013

Launched three years ago the DS3 hatchback range has been a huge sales success and an image changer for Citroen. DS3 sales worldwide are over 200,000 units and 43,000 have been sold in the UK making us one of the largest markets. The success of the funky, eye catching, DS3 has only been limited by the lack of body options, just the racy three-door … [Read more...]

Weekend roadtest: SEAT Leon 3rd generation

23 March 2013

Image by Matt Vosper The new SEAT Leon sees the biggest launch in the company’s history for a decade and blends the latest engineering with cutting-edge style which has been a signature of the Spanish brand. In showrooms this month, the five-door Leon pitches into the C-segment and it will be joined in July by a three-door SC unveiled at the 2013 … [Read more...]

New Skoda Octavia delivers surprises and sophistication

16 March 2013

The name is the same but the new Skoda Octavia is a whole new ball game. The first in the Skoda range to be developed on the latest modular platform from parent Volkswagen Group, the Octavia is bigger inside with an extended wheelbase to provide more room but its also 100kg lighter. This not only reduces fuel consumption because it allows smaller … [Read more...]

Weekend roadtest: Audi A3 Sportback 1.4TFSI