The costs of emissions-free, electric vans are now as low as their diesel competitors. That’s according to a new study by consultancy CE Delft that focuses on the small van segment largely used in cities and which accounts for 40% of total van sales in the EU. The study takes into account purchase price, taxes, fuel bills and maintenance costs over six years, equivalent to a standard lease … [Read more...]
Newcomers
Newslines 23 February
Motorists should expect a return to very wintry conditions with snow and ice over much of southern Britain next week. The Met Office this week warned that it could also be a longer spell than a couple of days and drivers should accordingly plan their journeys and prepare for conditions. Drivers will waste an estimated £1.3Billion by “rolling over” their insurance cover in March. That is … [Read more...]
Vauxhall is flushed with their LAV
Vauxhall is launching into the leisure activity vehicle segment with its Combo Life. Arriving in Vauxhall showrooms late 2018, the new Combo Life is full of innovations for them and features twin sliding rear doors, as used on rival products, to ease entry and exit. The spacious, highly practical and versatile Combo Life can be ordered as a five or seven seater, making it perfect for those … [Read more...]
Volvo debut three-cylinder engine in new XC40
Volvo Cars launches its new three-cylinder Drive-E powertrain in the XC40 and it’s the first triple-cylinder engine in the company's 91-year history. The all-new 156hp 1.5-litre, three-cylinder, direct-injection petrol engine was developed in-house using the same modular design as Volvo's four-cylinder Drive-E engines and the T3 initially comes with six-speed manual transmission but versions of … [Read more...]
Newslines 19 February
Renault is to open its first European concept store – the Renault Electric Vehicle Experience Center – in Stockholm where visitors will be able to discover the benefits of electric mobility and find answers to their questions. This ground-breaking shop window for Renault electric vehicles will be located in Täby Centrum, Stockholm and a prime spot to promote the advantages of electric motoring … [Read more...]
Family values challenged by Mitsubishi’s newcomer
Thousands of mums and dads in Britain have welcomed the Nissan Qashqai into their family, but that could be about to change with the arrival of the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, says Beth Keenan. As a long-time Qashqai driver I associate SUVs with safe, sensible and slow cars perfect for doing the school run and driving long distances; they are practical, comfortable and affordable which is why … [Read more...]
Tradelines 14 February
Peugeot GT Line Premium trim introduces affordable luxury to 3008 and 5008 SUV line-up. Enhanced trim level incorporates the ‘GT Line’ specification with the best of the range-topping ‘GT’ level with five engine options, starting from £28,590 for the 3008 and £30,565 for the all-new 5008 and the enhanced specification includes keyless entry, an opening panoramic glass roof and driver seat … [Read more...]
Newslines 13 February
Pickup buyers looking to put Volkswagen’s award-winning Amarok on their driveways, worksites or grounds can now do so for less. The introduction of the new Trendline V6 3.0 TDI 163PS model to the range means that Amarok ownership now starts at just £24,510, excluding VAT and OTR, and following the introduction of a manual gearbox option in November last year, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: New Audi A8 ahead of its time
The new fourth generation Audi A8 is really ahead of its time. It is the first car in the world to be built for the forthcoming age of autonomous vehicles which don’t require driver interaction in traffic at up to close to 40mph, the so-called Level 3 or “eyes off” category. As legislation changes to allow the Level 3 to be ‘turned-on’, beginning in America but gradually being rolled out … [Read more...]
Eclipse foreshadows new age for Mitsubishi in UK
The new Mitsubishi Eclipse is going to become a memorable model. Now in their 101st year of vehicle manufacturing, Mitsubishi Motors is part of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance and last year this consortium became the World’s largest manufacturer of cars and light commercial vehicles. Together they and their sub brands, which include Dacia and Infiniti, sold over 10.6-million new … [Read more...]