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...]
Weekend roadtest: Nissan X-Trail Tekna
The Nissan X-Trail has been a long-lived and much loved member of the Japanese family, sitting above the smaller Qashqai SUV with which it shares much of its components and technology. Launched in 2001 as a tough dual purpose 4x4 alternative to the bigger and heavier Patrol 4x4, the X-Trail has gone through three generations and it cannot be too long before it is again revised or … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Honda Civic Type R GT 2.0 VTEC
Although the UK production of the Honda Civic family 5-door hatchback range of models, including the hot-shot Type R, ceases in the UK at their Swindon Plant in July this year, the high performance Type R range of models available has been extended and a wide range of spec changes and technical improvements included. The Swindon Plant is currently building up buffer stocks of all 10th … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Lexus RX 450h Takumi
The Lexus brand came to SUV prominence in 1998, actually year 2000 in the UK with the introduction of the original RX as a luxury, comfortable easy to drive large SUV, writes David Miles. Now in its fourth generation spanning two decades the petrol-electric hybrid RX 450h 5-seater and RX L limousine style 6 or 7-seater premium large SUVs have received further improvements in specification, … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Volvo V90 B6 AWD
While SUVs now tend to grab sales and headlines we cannot overlook estates, writes Robin Roberts. Volvo has built a sound reputation on its estate cars and the V-series has won many awards from business and family judges. In fact some estates have morphed or developed into what’re often termed crossovers, sitting in size and style between a boxy estate and taller SUV. Some believe the … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Volvo V60 Recharge
Volvo is now well known for their commitment to full electrification of all their models by 2025, writes David Miles. They have recently confirmed they will develop and assemble their own electric motors at their powertrain plant in Skovde Sweden. The very first Volvo from 1927 was powered by a petrol engine from the same factory. Currently many vehicle manufacture’s electric motors are … [Read more...]