Seated at my keyboard responding to a request to write a review of the year from the 100 or so new or updated cars we have tried and tested this year, it’s difficult to know where to begin, says David Miles. 2018 started on a poor note with the fallout from the Volkswagen Group emissions scandal still continuing and it seems other brands were guilty as well. This has dampened customer … [Read more...]
Roadtests
Christmas roadtest: Aston Martin Rapide S
If fortunate enough to buy a high performance coupe, the Aston Martin Rapide S will surprise you and must be on your list, Christmas or anytime, writes Robin Roberts. Not only does it carry the highly desirable Aston Martin name, but the sleek coupe hides four passenger doors and four figure-hugging seats with reasonable room inside so it’s more practical than you might … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Lexus RX450h
There are no shortage of SUVs, small, medium, large and very large, petrol, diesel, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and all electric are all available depending on the model and from ‘budget’ buys to ‘upper-class’ premium brands, all cashing in on the seemingly unstoppable public demand, writes David Miles. Sales of SUVs of all sizes now account for over 35% of the European new car market, a figure more … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: MB C 200 AMG Line 4MATIC Saloon
You should rightly expect something special from the world’s oldest car-maker and you wouldn’t be disappointed with the Mercedes-Benz C-class, particularly the highly popular C200 4Matic AMG Line auto tested. Almost 100 years after the company was created from the partnership of German engineers Daimler and Benz it introduced the car which was to be the foundation for today’s C-class, the … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Ford Focus Titanium X 1.0-litre petrol
The latest generation Ford Focus was initially revealed to the motoring media in France in June this year but it wasn’t until September that models arrived in UK showrooms, writes David Miles. Now full UK sales are underway as the latest generation Focus five door hatchback and estate models aims to maintain their best selling family car title in the troubled new car market. The new Focus … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Peugeot 508 Allure BlueHDi 130 manual
If style alone sold cars, the new Peugeot 508 would be soaring success, writes Robin Roberts. In an age when we are told SUVs and Crossovers are the golden ticket in the lottery of life, the new 508 makes you think again and realise there is still room for a successful shape to challenge modern so-called wisdom. It looks like a smoothly styled saloon but it hides a fifth-door at the … [Read more...]
Mid-week motoring: Honda Civic Saloon
With no Estate version in the tenth generation Honda Civic range, until now only available in five door Hatchback form, now Honda has extended the Civic’s appeal by adding four door Saloon versions, writes David Miles. Unlike the Hatchback and Type R built in the UK for global sales, the Civic Saloon is built in Turkey for European markets. Available with 1.0-litre three … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Vauxhall Corsa GSi 1.4i Turbo 150hp
After 25 years on sale, the Vauxhall Corsa range has matured and while the impressive VXR versions are no more, it is topped by the 'warm' GSi, writes David Miles. Now celebrating its silver anniversary the top-selling Vauxhall Corsa supermini sized hatchback range has recently seen high specification low price Griffin versions with three and five door body styles and … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Volvo XC40 T3 R Design
It may be a throw-back to Nordic history, but when there is news of a new Volvo, heads turn towards the horizon. They are not always the first to introduce a feature or model in a sector, but you can bet their version will be significant. And you cannot get much more significant that the latest Volvo XC40 R-Design with its new three-cylinder 1.5 litre petrol engine, the … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Honda Civic 5dr 1.6 diesel
Built in Britain for global sales the 10th generation Honda Civic is available in five door hatchback body style and now a Civic four door saloon, built in Turkey for European markets, has been added to the range, writes David Miles. Also a new 1.6-litre turbodiesel engine with manual and automatic gearbox choices has joined the line-up for both body styles. There is no … [Read more...]