As growth accelerates in the electric car market, some traditional manufacturers like SEAT are refining and introducing new sub-brands. The sector has pulled in completely new brands from China alongside off-shoots of European and Asian manufacturers who all want a piece of this increasingly important “green” branch of the high earning business. SEAT first launched its sporting Cupra sub-brand … [Read more...]
Roadtests
Weekend roadtest: SEAT Leon Hatch 1.5TSI FR Sport
SEAT Leon has raised its game in the very competitive family car sector as the industry slowly pulls away from the Covid pandemic and components shortages. It was unfortunate timing for the comprehensively revised Leon to be announced three years ago to date and all the changes are only now really appreciated. The new-look SEAT Leon comes in six trim levels from just under £23,335 with a … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Volkswagen ID.Buzz Pro
Move over supercars, there’s a new head turner on the road, the Volkswagen ID. Buzz. Talked about for a few years and on sale last year in Britain, the very retro Buzz is one of the rare newcomers that manages to break with modern convention by being old-school conventional. Borrowing styling cues from the famous VW dubs of a few decades ago yet sweeping up the latest technology along the way … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: KIA Soul Urban EV
KIA sales are soaring in Britain and to keep ahead it has seemingly taken a step back with the latest generation of the popular Soul EV. KIA Soul was launched in 2008 after the company looked to its Californian styling studio for a new model to appeal to the 18-35 year old American buyer market and its concept creation debuted at the Detroit motor show in 2006. The production model broke cover … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: SsangYong Musso Saracen+
The SsangYong Musso has just extended its appeal, literally. We tested the double-cab Musso back in late 2022 and were impressed with its room and practical points and as we were giving it the once over, SsangYong Motor UK announced a little extension to the range. Actually it added 12-inches to the loadbed of the top specification Saracen, adding a + sign to denote its growth. Some may think … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Nissan Juke Hybrid 2WD Tekna+
The Nissan Juke has been with us for over a decade but it can still hold its own against rivals now it has been given a Hybrid powertrain. It has just picked up five-stars for safety as well so it’s not lacking where it matters for many families. In production since 2010, the Juke crossover sits below the larger Qashqai and was intended to have a more sporting appeal than its stable-mate with … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Honda Civic Type R
Every now and again a car comes along which immediately turns heads, raises eyebrows and the game; then becomes a standard setter or cult model for many years, such as the Honda Civic Type R. Now a quarter of a century on from its introduction it is still one of the fastest cars on road, has been a podium contender in the very tough British Touring Car Championship over the years and this year … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: McLaren Artura
Exclusive sports car maker McLaren has turned the corner. A huge multi-million pound investment, new management with encouragement for a brand which has uncompromisingly delivered drivers' cars, has now enabled, embraced and enriched the latest hybrid powertrain technology. But, of course, being McLaren it always does things a differently, distinctively - the McLaren way - and the new Artura … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: GWM Funky Cat 1st Edition
The UK’s electric car revolution is becoming a bloody affair. From initially resisting the new technology on cost grounds including writing off established investments in petrol and diesel engine technology and having to develop hybrid or pure electric powertrains, along with making tens of thousands of workers redundant, manufacturers have struggled to convince buyers into showrooms or on-line … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Isuzu D-Max AT35
With so many vehicles looking almost identical, it's refreshing to review the impressive Isuzu D-Max AT35. Put simply, there is very little else on or off road quite like it. What's more it is not just frills without purpose as it comes with pedigree and practicality. Isuzu is one of Japan’s oldest vehicle makers founded in 1916, came to the UK in 1987 with the Trooper SUV and then introduced … [Read more...]