Newcomers

Weekend roadtest: VW Crafts it’s way to success

29 June 2019

VW’s investment in their pursue of van domination seems to have paid off with the latest VW Crafter, leaving Mercedes sprinting back to the ideas board, writes Rhys Roberts. The VW Crafter does everything asked of a van, and seems to do it with some added pizazz. It may not be as technologically advanced as its Mercedes rival, but it isn’t as far … [Read more...]

Hybrid solution to cleaner driving

25 June 2019

Hybrids hold the answer to quickly reducing CO2 emissions, say analysts. With automotive battery capacity currently scarce, expensive and suffering supply problems, the deployment of this limited resource is critical to maximising CO2 reduction. And the most effective way to reduce global vehicle emissions for the foreseeable future is not full battery … [Read more...]

Sunday drive: SEAT Tarraco 150 Xcellence

23 June 2019

The new SEAT Tarraco represents the voice of the people, writes David Miles. The new 7-seat large SUV is named after the Mediterranean city of Tarragona and was chosen by 140,000 on-line enthusiasts. Priced from £28,335 to £38,055 the Tarraco range joins the SEAT Spanish arm of the VW Group’s other SUVs – the compact Arona and the very highly … [Read more...]

Tradelines 19 June

19 June 2019

A recall has been ordered for Adam and Corsa models in Germany. Authorities believe 210,000 models may exceed NO2 levels in real world conditions across Europe and that’s likely to include thousands sold in the UK. There are hopes that FCA will be able to revive its bid for a deal with Renault, subject to Nissan support. The French Government would … [Read more...]

Newslines 17 June

17 June 2019

Drivers will be grateful that major retailers are responding to falling wholesale fuel costs by cutting the price of petrol and diesel at hundreds of forecourts, said the RAC. “We felt the price cut last week didn’t go far enough, and today’s news goes some way towards charging drivers a fairer price when they fill up and it’s particularly significant … [Read more...]

Sunday drive: Kia e-Niro first drive

16 June 2019

Some manufactures already offer various solutions to meet owner’s practical needs in being able to make those longer trips at-will yet reduce the CO2 emissions their vehicles emit, writes David Miles. Take as an example Kia, the South Korean brand, which has become hugely popular in the UK with annual sales edging towards 100,000-units. Their vast range … [Read more...]

Weekend roadtest: New Suzuki Swift Attitude

15 June 2019

Suzuki is sizzling this summer, write Robin Roberts & David Miles. While the rest of the UK market is warning of cloudy days, Suzuki sees rays of opportunity as it prepares to launch the updated and revised Swift series. Britain is the top market in Europe for Suzuki and last year they registered 38,500 cars, their second highest total … [Read more...]

Green drive threatens to push makers into the red

12 June 2019

Alternatively fuelled vehicles, pure electric, petrol-electric hybrids and plug-in hybrids saw a 21% increase in UK new car sales last year to 141,270 units but only 15,474 of those vehicles were pure electric models, writes David Miles. So far this year only around 2,000 battery electric cars were sold in the first five months of the year. Still small … [Read more...]

Solar car-port puts rivals in the shade

11 June 2019

A Welsh company is launching a high technology car-port which puts rivals in the shade, using advanced solar power panels. BiPVco of Newport also produces flexible panels for the roofs of boats, motor homes, caravans and commercial vehicles and its product is being used on the latest patient transport vehicles ordered by the Welsh Ambulance Service Trusts … [Read more...]

Future on wheels is not what you think