When a car-maker refreshes and updates one of its best selling models their rivals and customers had better take notice and the new Citroen C3 deserves that attention. It underwent an extensive makeover last year but global events overshadowed it so it was good to catch up with the compact five-door model a short time ago. The third generation C3 was launched in 2016 and has secured over … [Read more...]
Roadtests
Sunday drive: Suzuki Swace, SZ-T
The Suzuki Swace hybrid 5-door mid-sized estate is the second recent model to join the Suzuki range from their partnership with Toyota formed in 2019, writes David Miles. Toyota also manufacture the Across large-ish Plug-in-Hybrid SUV which is based on the new RAV4 PHEV. The addition of Swace and Across models to the Suzuki range means all Suzuki models throughout their line-up are hybrids and … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Fiat 500X Sport 150
Fiat know a lot about turning the ordinary into the extra-ordinary, like they have with the hotter version of the very popular 500 series, writes Robin Roberts. Their best seller for 60 years, the Fiat 500 is boosted by the X Sport, given a beefier 150bhp 1.3 litre four-cylinder engine in the top model tested with a silky automatic transmission & column paddles. If you’ve had a good … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Ford Fiesta ST-Line Edition 1.0 mHEV
One of the many recent updates to Britain’s best-selling car in 2020 was the introduction of mild hybrid support for their 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder turbo petrol 125 and 155hp petrol engines used in the Fiesta and other Ford model ranges, writes David Miles. But it’s the latest Fiesta 1.0 mHEV 6-speed ST-Line Edition 5-door version I am trying for this part of the lockdown period priced at … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Citroen C5 Aircross PHEV
The Citroen C5 Aircross has been a winner for the French marque from its 2017 launch and it’s about to ease them into a new era, writes Robin Roberts. Within six months of going on sale, over 50,000 models had been delivered and it’s updates include a Plug-in Hybrid Electric version. That brings a big saving at first registration and if you only do a 15-miles commute each way and have access to … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Suzuki Across PHEV SUV 2.5
Partnerships between automotive manufacturers are now commonplace as they share costs to bring to market more and more lower exhaust emission models, writes David Miles. They're needed to meet tightening CO2 targets and avoid financial penalties if overall range emissions fail to meet new targets. One of these emerging partnerships is between Japanese brands Toyota and Suzuki. Toyota is … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Fiat 500 Lounge Hatchback 70hp
Fiat 500 models have been the backbone of the Italian brand for generations and their popularity looks like never ending. The 500 or Cinquecento as it was then named put Fiat back on the road after WW2 and it saved the company again with a comprehensive make-over in 2007, since when three-million have been sold. A new refreshed line-up is going on sale Spring 2021, but we wanted to catch up with … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Volvo XC40 Recharge
Although overall new car sales stalled globally in 2020 due to Covid-19, sales of electrified models substantially grew, writes David Miles. In Europe electrified models outsold diesel powered cars for the first time and the demand for SUVs continues. Now by electrified I mean, plug-in pure electric powered models, PHEV plug-in hybrid petrol/diesel electric vehicles, self charging … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Jeep Renegade Trailhawk 4xe PHEV
Jeep’s landmark position in the off-road sector is now joined by the Renegade’s claim to fame as the first of the brand’s electric models, writes Robin Roberts. The Renegade was a defining vehicle for the brand being the first Jeep model to be made outside the US. It’s assembled in Italy, Brazil and China from 2015. Now it’s reached another high point and more Jeep models will become hybrids … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: SEAT Arona Xcellence 1.0 TSI
In the much-troubled year of 2020 new car sales across the globe stalled and even the must-have Crossover/SUV styled vehicles saw their sales flatten, writes David Miles. According to JATO Dynamics reliable new car sales figures, although such vehicles still accounted for 40% of all cars sold in Europe there was no growth. They added ‘Over the last six years, SUVs have been a consistent driver … [Read more...]
