It’s seventh heaven for the Ford Fiesta. Britain’s best selling city car retains the familiar name and trim levels as the seventh generation arrives in showrooms but underneath there are some significant and worthwhile changes. The new model is physically bigger than the previous series, it has more interior room particularly in three-door style, and it sits on a … [Read more...]
Roadtests
Sunday drive: Mitsubishi L200 Barbarian SVP Double Cab
The award winning Mitsubishi L200 pick-up range is now into its fifth generation and latest is the limited edition Barbarian SVP Double Cab, which becomes the range flagship with prices from £28,479 excluding VAT. The line-up includes Single Cab, Club Cab and Double Cab versions with UK prices starting from £18,500 excluding VAT as they are classed as commercial … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Citroen C4 Cactus PureTech 110S&S
Having the right car at the right time has ensured the success of the Citroen C4 Cactus. Developed from the PSA Group family platform underpinning the C3 hatchback, DS3 and Peugeot 208, the Cactus is a compact MPV which has captured the popularity of the practical bodystyle. Its rounded front end has helped it win the top safety award by EuroNCap testers and it will probably please owners … [Read more...]
Delayed Peugeot 5008 begins to arrive at last
Originally debuted at the Paris Motor Show last Autumn and scheduled in the UK in the Spring of this year, the all-new Peugeot 5008 seven seater SUV has finally started to arrive but full availability won’t start until January. The delay explained Peugeot UK has been down to the huge sales success of the new mid-sized 3008 SUV which not only attracted record sales but achieved the 2017 European … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Peugeot 3008 GT Line 1.2
Sales of new cars overall in the UK this year have stalled by 2.5% over the same period last year with only the SUV/4x4 sector showing growth. Sales of all diesel powered passenger cars have fallen by 11.5% following the ‘dieselgate scandal’ and in the uncertain economic climate those thinking of buying an SUV must look at a petrol engine. I did just that with the latest generation award … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Skoda Citigo 1.0MPI 60ps Colour Edition
Skoda’s baby car has been reborn and it’s a charmer. The compact city car first appeared as part of the VW Group line up in 2011 but this summer underwent a facelift to front and back, inside was revised and re-equipped and it has the latest clean engine technology underfoot. The Skoda Citigo is the baby of the family but still grows to about 20 models in three or five-door bodystyles and … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Skoda Octavia SE Hatchback 1.0 TSI
Combining a roomy mid-sized family hatchback with a small 1.0-litre three cylinder petrol engine could be a step too far in terms of dull performance and disappointing fuel economy. But it's not so with the latest Skoda Octavia five door Hatchback. That is powered by the Volkswagen Group’s 1.0-litre, three cylinder TSI 115hp turbo petrol engine. Whilst diesel engines and the Octavia in … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Fiat Tipo Lounge MJ 1.6 hatchback
Families know that each generation is usually bigger than the last, and it’s the same with the new Fiat Tipo. Originally announced in 1988, the first generation Tipo remained in production until the mid 1990s but in September 2016 the new model to carry the name was unveiled. The name was the only familiar feature of the newcomer as it has moved up in size and it offers one of the … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Volvo XC60 D5 PowerPulse, AWD, R-Design
When the first generation mid-sized XC60 was introduced in 2008 it didn’t take long for it to become Volvo’s best selling model range and the market leader in its class in Europe as it was just at the time the SUV market overall was beginning to boom in terms of sales. Today with the introduction of the second generation XC60 the competition is even stronger with premium brand … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Dacia Sandero Stepway Ambiance TCe90
There is doom, gloom and then there is Dacia, writes Robin Roberts. The Renault subsidiary and Romanian made models are the quiet success story in a year that has ruffled feathers of some peacock producers who’ve made a lot of noise about Brexit and dire warnings of impending disaster. Meanwhile, Dacia and its delighted 154 UK dealers – including eight in Wales – have ratcheted up … [Read more...]