Hats off to Vauxhall for bringing us the Cascada convertible. Most of the current crop of soft tops are either smaller two and two-plus-two cars or higher priced executive playthings with two or more seats but not a lot of room. The Vauxhall Cascada takes the best of all features and delivers them in a reasonably priced and roomy package. There are nine Cascada models in the UK range from … [Read more...]
Roadtests
Citroen Picasso impresses at a stroke
High hopes are riding with the new Citroen Picasso. The first Picasso was launched in 1999 as the Xsara and sales of all Citroen’s C3/C4 MPV models have almost reached 400,000 units in the UK. The new C4 Picasso is slightly more compact than the outgoing model being 40mm shorter in length with reduced overhangs, wider tracks, a lower position for the engine block and vehicle floor and the … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Peugeot 208 GTi
The Peugeot 208 GTi is a class act. One of the original hot-hatches when it was first released, the latest version retains the desirable get up and go approach to its power delivery but it now comes with more refinement than ever. It strikes a fine balance between that refinement and raw power when you want it. Internally, the designers have done a brilliant job on making it both … [Read more...]
S-Cross marks the spot for Suzuki sales drive
Crossovers, lifestyle SUV look-alikes, fuel efficient, tax friendly, compact and roomy, but not all with four wheel drive, are hugely popular and there has been a boom in new model introductions. The latest model range is the Suzuki SX S-Cross five door with two and four wheel drive, petrol and diesel models. They will be in UK showrooms this month with sales starting from 1 October with … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Fiat 500S
The 500 has assumed a life of its own within the Fiat range. The historic cinquecento was reborn a few years ago as a two or four cylinder three-door city car with 1.2 diesel or 900 and 1400cc petrol engines. It quickly became a convertible, a larger family car and more lately a versatile soft-roader, but now its toned up with the arrival of the 500S sub-900cc TwinAir Turbo. This Sporting … [Read more...]
BMW 4 Coupe readies for Oktoberfest
The new BMW 4 Series Coupe makes its World premiere at the Frankfurt motor show in September before going on sale in the UK in October, but for us motoring journos its UK debut was on the near deserted and challenging roads in the north of Scotland. Although the new 4 Series two door Coupe is the replacement for the 3 Series Coupe, the newcomer is based on the recently introduced 3 Series Saloon … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Vauxhall ADAM Glam 1.4 ecoFlex
If you ever thought the new car market was becoming too samey, unexciting, and unadventurous, you haven’t tested the Vauxhall ADAM. This modern city car from one of the oldest manufacturers is not only a breath of fresh air for them but is a significant pointer within the industry and for buyers as well. The straightforward three-door bodystyle comes with petrol-only engines with a choice of … [Read more...]
New Lexus hybrid makes out a strong business case
Less really is more with the Lexus IS hybrid saloon. It arrived in the UK in July selling in a market sector dominated by diesel powered models such as the BMW 320 Efficient Dynamics, Audi A4 2.0 TDI and the Mercedes-Benz C220 CDI models. But for this third generation IS saloon there is no diesel engine option or indeed the gas-guzzling 5.0-litre V8 petrol model. The new line-up has just a … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Skoda Octavia SE 1.2TSi
If you have struggled with the keypad of a modern mobile phone you’ll have open arms to welcome the Skoda Octavia. The trend towards packing more into an ever-tighter space can drive you to despair. But despair not if you want a genuinely roomy and comfortable family car and look no further than the Skoda Octavia. Launched this year as the second generation Octavia following eight years … [Read more...]
All change for summer with Suzuki Swift series
The popular Suzuki Swift range has undergone a summer wardrobe change. There are new five-door body features and styling, a new deep blue colour and the addition of new trim, while underneath there are revised powertrains with greener and cheaper to tax models as the Swift tones up for the September sales fight. Significantly as autumn and winter approach, the range is boosted by the … [Read more...]