Young upstarts often have a something to teach us and to learn, and that’s true of the DS5. The brand is just over five years old and came about by the desire of parent PSA to have a halo range which rekindles the chic of the first DS launched in 1955 as one of the Citroen luxury models. It is even sold through DS Stores and DS Salons, not a humble traditional dealership. There are five … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Dacia Duster Laureate 1.5 dCi
Dacia, pronounced ‘dat-cha’, is a Romanian automotive brand that became wholly owned by Renault in 2004. But it wasn’t until mid 2012 that the first Dacia model from the new partnership, the mid-sized Duster five door mid-sized SUV, appeared in the UK with sales beginning early in 2013. Since then there have been constant updates and additions to the line-up and in 2014 production … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Ferrari California T
If ever there was such a thing as a bargain Ferrari, then the California T is the model, says Robin Roberts. The dominance of Ferrari in the sports car market has come under threat from a wide range of rivals in recent years, but this summer it nosed ahead again. In June its power plant again won Engine of the Year and the following month Ferrari announced it was lengthening its 12 years … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Toyota Yaris Excel Hybrid
The Toyota Yaris supermini hatchback in three and five door forms was first launched in 1999 and became European Car of the Year 2000. Now in its third generation five-door only form it has received a mid-life refresh. Actually it’s more than a refresh with 900 new parts say Toyota including the introduction of a new 1.5-litre petrol engine which replaces the previous 1.33-litre … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Alfa Romeo 4C Spider
Italians love their food almost as much as they love cars like the Alfa 4C Spider, says Robin Roberts. Meals can swing between the heavy classics to lighter Mediterranean morsels and they are usually all memorable. The essential element is that every course is meant to be enjoyed for its own sake and if you like a straightforward diet of fun, the Alfa 4C Spider will fill your plate. It’s … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Dacia Logan MCV
The Dacia Logan estate runs on air, well almost, says David Miles. Before I tell you anything about the 2017 Dacia brand, their sales or their low prices, I must explain the headline. My Dacia Logan MCV (Maximum Capacity Vehicle) family five door estate with a 1.5 Renault sourced dCi 90hp turbodiesel engine returned an unbelievable 86.07mpg during my week long test driving … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Audi A5 Cabriolet quattro
Audi know a thing or two about successful niche marketing, and the revised A5 Cabriolet is a brilliant example of the brand doing what it does best, but at a price. It’s not cheap but its very, very good and the range is extensive and comes with a lot of tempting options which you have to very carefully pick over to ensure you get exactly what you want. Revised in 2016, the A5 … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Volvo V90 D5 PowerPulse AWD
Volvo has been producing big estate cars for over 60 years having been established in 1927, writes David Miles. And under their current ownership/partnership of the Chinese Geely Holding company since 2010, the premium Swedish brand now goes from strength to strength introducing high class, premium quality models. In 2016 their record global sales in over 100 countries were 534,332 cars, an … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Toyota C-HR 1.2T Dynamic auto
Few test cars turn heads like the Toyota C-HR. It’s dramatic styling hints at something special and it is, for most parts. The latest Toyota offering in the compact SUV sector where it was solely represented with the RAV4 could not be more different to its stablemate. There is a good 11 model lineup in the C-HR (Coupe High Rider) range utilising three trim levels, front or all wheel drive … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: SEAT Leon ST Estate
Launched in April this year the revised SEAT Leon range of SC three door coupe, five door hatchbacks and ST estates is available with nearly 70 derivates and prices ranging from £17,455 to nearly £34,500, says David Miles. It is supported by a wide range of petrol and diesel engine options from the diminutive but impressive new 1.0-litre TSI three cylinder 115hp turbo petrol to the 300hp 2.0 … [Read more...]