Seated at my keyboard responding to a request to write a review of the year from the 100 or so new or updated cars we have tried and tested this year, it’s difficult to know where to begin, says David Miles. 2018 started on a poor note with the fallout from the Volkswagen Group emissions scandal still continuing and it seems other brands were guilty as well. This has dampened customer … [Read more...]
Newcomers
Newslines 21 December
The VW Arteon five-seat coupe is now available to order with a new 272ps 2.0 TSi engine and seven speed automatic transmission. The flagship 4WD model comes in two trim levels from £39,065 and £39,850. Only four out of ten UK motorists (41%) would call the Police if they thought a car was being driven by a drunk driver. A quarter would ignore it completely if they saw a car meandering in … [Read more...]
Newslines 18 December
Car-parts entrepreneur Ian Warhust has stepped in to save the Bloodhound supersonic speed project after it went into administration in November. The 1,000mph Bloodhound team said it is being bought for an undisclosed amount by the Barnsley businessman and a future plan will be unveiled in January. As many as 20 million individual Christmas leisure trips will take place this week in the … [Read more...]
Desire for car ownership is strong but weakens for AVs
Analysts at Arthur D. Little says the desire for car ownership remains strong, especially amongst the young, and that drivers are considering a dramatic switch to electric and hybrid vehicles. This will impact manufacturer and supplier engine strategies and push for faster development of EV ecosystems, such as charging solutions. Drivers are now much more willing to embrace alternative … [Read more...]
Newslines 11 December
SEAT has now opened for ordering on its first large SUV and new flagship model, Tarraco, coming to Britain early 2019. The seven-seater, which sits above Arona and Ateca to complete the Spanish brand’s SUV line-up, is attracting attention with its high level of standard spec: metallic paint, 17” Alloys, DAB, alarm and Full Link for just £28,320. Alex Smith is to return to Volkswagen Group UK … [Read more...]
Boost for Welsh business in ev-supply chain
Welsh Government funding of £4.4m will see international automotive giants Calsonic Kansei develop and produce cutting edge electric vehicle technology at their Llanelli plant, creating a further 85 jobs, Economy Secretary Ken Skates has confirmed. The plant currently employs a workforce in excess of 300 to manufacture cooling systems and air conditioning components for many of the major … [Read more...]
Newslines 8 December
A battery Corsa and PHEV Grandland X will be introduced next year, and they are likely to use technology developed for parent PSA Group models which will also be arriving. Vauxhall is planning a massive roll-out of ev models in its Mokka X and Vivaro van ranges in two years as well. An electric version of the MGZS compact crossover with a 208 miles range will go on UK sale inside seven … [Read more...]
Newslines 7 December
The new Volvo S60 sedan and V60 estate this week received the maximum five-star rating in their 2018 EuroNCAP safety tests, continuing a five-star streak for the Volvo line-up. The result underlines Volvo Cars' reputation for consistently putting some of the safest cars available on the road from the compact V40 hatchback to the large XC90 SUV, all tested Volvo models currently on sale offer … [Read more...]
Mid-week motoring: Honda Civic Saloon
With no Estate version in the tenth generation Honda Civic range, until now only available in five door Hatchback form, now Honda has extended the Civic’s appeal by adding four door Saloon versions, writes David Miles. Unlike the Hatchback and Type R built in the UK for global sales, the Civic Saloon is built in Turkey for European markets. Available with 1.0-litre three … [Read more...]
Tradelines 5 December
The new Mercedes-Benz E300 plug in hybrid petrol model arriving next spring will cost from £47,450. The e SE saloon uses a 211hp 2.0 petrol engine combined with 122hp electric motor with a claimed 134.5mpg combined economy and 46gkm CO2, a 0-62mph time of 5.7secs and limited max of 155mph. Kia e-Niro and Hyundai Kona electric models arriving next spring have been given new … [Read more...]