Last week MINI celebrated production of the 10-millionth Mini and MINI built under British and BMW ownership periods, writes David Miles. The landmark car was a MINI 60 Years Anniversary Edition just like the one I have been test driving. To celebrate the 60th anniversary MINI brought together at Plant Oxford one car from each year of production - 60 cars from 60 years. To celebrate 60 years of … [Read more...]
Newcomers: Cars
Sunday drive: Jaguar E-Pace 180hp Diesel R-Dynamic S
Now you might logically think that the E-Pace is the new all-electric model in the Jaguar Pace family of SUVs, but it isn’t – that’s the just released I-Pace. Confusingly, there is also the F Pace launched in 2016 sitting between the E-Pace and I-Pace. Could E then stand for Elegant? In my eyes definitely not. It’s a compact five door five seater sports SUV which carries the … [Read more...]
Hyundai lets power go to its head
Hyundai Motor is launching its first car with a solar roof charging system. This groundbreaking eco-friendly technology will provide vehicles with additional electrical power, as well as increasing fuel efficiency and driving range. Hyundai Motor’s solar roof charging system makes its debut on the New Sonata Hybrid. The system supports the vehicle’s electric power source, improving fuel … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Nissan Qashqai Tekna 1.3 DIG-T 160hp Auto
The British built Nissan Qashqai is today generally recognised as the founder of the Crossover vehicle market sector when it was launched in 2007, wrties David Miles. It offered SUV styling with family hatchback sizing and practicality with 2WD and 4WD traction options. But it was in fact the Matro Rancho launched in 1977 that brought the ‘off-road look’ to the family hatchback market at a … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Vauxhall Vivaro Life MPV
At a time when every motor manufacturer is rushing to produce popular crossover and suv models, Vauxhall has delivered something different, in the shape of the Vivaro Life. Clearly a derivative of its acclaimed and award winning van but using parts from parent PSA to soften its character, the Vivaro Life is a genuinely large seven-seater ranking in practicality alongside Volkswagen and … [Read more...]
£72,140 Renault Megane heads for UK
They are the ultimate Renault Megane models and just 32 are coming to the UK priced between £51,000 and £72,140, with the option to spend even more. Renault Mégane R.S. Trophy-R recently broke the front-wheel drive lap records at both the tortuous Nürburgring in Germany and the sensationally fast Spa Francorchamps in Belgium. Limited to just 500 examples globally, with 32 coming … [Read more...]
Newcomers
The Arteon SE adds a third level to the Arteon’s trim line-up and presents an even more value-focused offering to the range as the new entry point into Arteon ownership from £33,085. Initially, the SE will be offered with a single engine option – a 2.0-litre TSI 190 PS petrol unit fitted with a 7-speed DSG, priced at £33,085 while a new diesel engine will be introduced later this year and is … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: MINI John Cooper Works 3-Door Hatch
At last week’s MINI UK media test driving day the BMW Group brand brought along their 60th anniversary Edition Hatch model as well as the revised John Cooper Works Hatch version to be sampled, writes David Miles. With a 60th anniversary Edition model already scheduled into my forthcoming road test diary I wheeled myself out onto the winding Lambourn area country roads near Newbury for a brief … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Toyota Corolla Touring SE 1.8 Hybrid
The enduring and enterprising Toyota Corolla is a firm favourite with British car buyers and it’s easy to understand why after a week with the 1.8 Sports Excel estate hybrid, writes Robin Roberts. This spring , the 12th generation Corolla replaced the oddly-named, smaller and less attractive Auris series of models and it brought with it the latest self-charging hybrid technology which … [Read more...]
On sale date announced for Aston Martin DBX
Orders for the Welsh built Aston Martin DBX open next month at the globally important Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, California. The luxury car maker has received a steady stream of enquiries since it announced the car, which will be assembled at St Athan’s new car plant. In fact, pre-production models have already been completed as part of the training process for hundreds of local people … [Read more...]