Roadtests

Weekend roadtest: Jaguar F-Type V6

10 August 2013

Jaguar’s reputation has been honed with its sports cars over 75 years and its future looks in safe hands behind the wheel of the new F-Type two-seater. The iconic British car-maker turned the corner towards profitability when it was acquired by Tata in 2008 and it has been accelerating its reputation ever since. In 2012 it passed another milestone with … [Read more...]

Weekend Roadtest: Ford S-Max 1.6 Titanium 160

27 July 2013

The Ford S Max with its EcoBoost engine really concentrates the mind. Concentrates do that and you wonder before you try them if they will be as good as the unconcentrated stuff or wish you had more. In the case of the leaner and greener 160ps EcoBoost it delivers to the max. The mid-sized S-Max people carrier has been a popular model in the range … [Read more...]

Weekend roadtest: Chrysler Ypsilon 1.3 MultiJet Diesel

20 July 2013

Hard to pronounce and hard to find, the Chrysler Ypsilon is nevertheless an easy supermini to live with. Developed from the slightly smaller Fiat 500 platform, the Ypsilon is longer with more room in the back seats and a bigger boot as well. It has a distinctive front end and is taller than the stablemate Fiat and I think its more suitable as a family … [Read more...]

Weekend roadtest: Fiat 500C Colour Therapy

13 July 2013

You cannot help but smile when you see some cars, such as the Fiat 500C Colour Therapy. The Fiat 500 has what the Japanese call a friendly face. Take off the roof and it becomes a wind in the hair happy go lucky character. Could it possibly disappoint? Not where it really matters. The Colour Therapy is a range between the Pop and Lounge … [Read more...]

Weekend roadtests: Lifting the lids on two Volkswagens

6 July 2013

There is one feature you will not find on the options list for the 265ps latest Volkswagen Golf R Cabriolet DSG but which makes it highly desirable this summer, exclusivity, says Robin Roberts. This sixth generation of the Golf convertible is the fastest accelerating and with the highest top speed despite being a shade less powerful than the previous … [Read more...]

Weekend roadtest: Peugeot 2008 Crossover

29 June 2013

Britain’s B-sector for family cars is buzzing. The hatchback small-medium sized models have a new entrant in the shape of the Peugeot 2008 Crossover which hits roads in the middle of July. Closely related to the larger medium-sized 3008, the slightly more compact 2008 Crossover is a natural development from the new 208 and many will consider a … [Read more...]

Weekend roadtest: Ford Kuga 1.6T

22 June 2013

In addition to the most popular 2.0-litre TDCi turbodiesel engines the previous generation Ford Kuga mid-sized five door five seater range had only a 2.5-litre, five cylinder, 197bhp petrol engine to offer customers. The all-new roomier Ford Kuga introduced at the start of this year has continued their engine down-sizing policy for better fuel economy and … [Read more...]

Weekend roadtest: Hyundai i30 3dr Active 1.6 CRDI 110ps Blue Drive

15 June 2013

Hyundai is hoping to repeat the success of its i30 Hatchback and Tourer models with the 3 door. But its not just a case of mildly modifiying the sides with longer doors, Hyundai has taken the opportunity to give the 3 door an individual look with bigger front spoiler incorporated in a new bumper and grille and a revised rear bumper together with new … [Read more...]

At last, Honda has a credible Civic diesel to take on rivals

8 June 2013

Although Honda is the world’s largest manufacturer of combustion engines, everything from garden equipment to outboard motors, to motorcycles to cars and many more including a new F1 engine, it was only 10 years ago they introduced their first diesel engine, a 2.2-litre four cylinder unit initially for their Accord range. This engine then went into … [Read more...]

Weekend roadtest: Volvo V40 D2 SE 5dr