The highly popular 220 diesel B Class is an ideal multi-role model. It embodies practicality and versatility and delivers good dynamic performance as well as remarkable economy. This is largely to do with the very refined powertrain underfoot and although the four cylinder diesel engine can be noticeably noisy when loaded, it actually remains remarkably smooth and responsive. This seven … [Read more...]
Roadtests
Hybrid power boosts Range Rovers’ appeal
Land Rover has seemingly pulled off the impossible and mixed electricity with water in the new Range Rover and Range Rover Sport Hybrids. The uncompromising design and purpose of the Range Rover has been maintained with the development of the latest Hybrid luxury models. In its Autobiography top of the range specification the Range Rover Hybrid costs £98,415 and the Range Rover Sport is … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Ford Mondeo Titanium X1.6 EcoBoost 5dr
The most important roll-out of Ford’s EcoBoost engine technology to date has come with the updated Ford Mondeo. The popular D-sector medium sized saloon and estate series, which runs to 48 versions in the UK, has the 160ps 1596cc four-cylinder petrol unit made in Bridgend Engine Plant as a choice among the extensive range of petrol and diesel engines available. Fitting the 1.6 EcoBoost means the … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Chevrolet Captiva 2.2 VCDi LTZ 7-seat
It comes with a new look and an incredible near-80 years behind the Chevrolet Captiva. Now made in South Korea the Captiva can trace its origins to the Chevrolet Suburban launched in 1934 to US buyers as the first SUV. Then it was a people carrier version of a Chevrolet pickup truck which went on to do sterling WW2 service as a troop carrier, but today’s equivalent Captiva is every inch a … [Read more...]
Christmas roadtest: New Audi R8
The R8 supercar with Coupe and Spyder body options is very much a niche product in a niche area of the market. Around 300 units a year are available to the UK market. The Coupe version accounts for 70% of these sales and 92% of all R8s sold in the UK will have the new S tronic twin clutch auto transmission which marginally reduces CO2 emissions and speeds up the zero to 62mph acceleration time … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Vauxhall Insignia 140 2.0 diesel manual
Vauxhall Insignia dominates the medium sized fleet market and you can understand why. There are over 50 models in the UK range from just under £18,000 to almost £31,270 and we tested the fleet popular version with low emissions and 11% tax rising to 12% in the 2014/ 15 financial year. The four-cylinder diesel engine is an immediate starter, it pulls eagerly and strongly and combined with the … [Read more...]
Weekend road test: Peugeot 308
The New Peugeot 308 is lighter, leaner, cheaper to live with and looks a whole lot better for it. Gone is the pronounced ‘nose’ on the bonnet while under the streamlined skin it’s much lighter, powered by new or revised engines and it’s bristling with technology and equipment. It comes to the UK on 2 January up to £1,400 less than the outgoing model and it promises to be cheaper to run, … [Read more...]
Weekend road test: Peugeot 2008 Allure e-HDI
Cross-overs are like the cat that had the cream this year. While medium sized models are suffering in the salesrooms, the cross-over category is meeting a demand which is being driven by the buyers. Essentially, a cross-over is two or more types of car in one model and in the case of the Peugeot 2008 Allure tested it brings together family hatch and MPV. Launched in the summer of 2013, the … [Read more...]
Weekend road test: Toyota Auris Touring Sports Icon 1600
Powered from Wales, built in Britain and destined for Europe, a lot is riding in the back of the Toyota Auris Touring Sports. It is the most significant model yet produced by Toyota in the UK and since its launch this summer it has been selling very well across Europe. An extensive 14 model range from £15,600 to £22,845 comes in four trim levels with choice of four petrol or diesel engines, … [Read more...]
Weekend road test: Mazda CX-5 2.2 Sport AWD
Cross-overs are the driving force for more manufacturers. They combine one set of benefits with another, effectively giving a buyer not one but two models in one car and most popular of these today is the medium-sized SUV with some sort of all-wheel-drive. It may be either part or full time, and mainly intended for wintry roads and light off-road use. So a buyer does not have the high … [Read more...]