SEAT built its reputation on small cars although it's now expanded the range upmarket, but it still knows how to make a good city car in the Ibiza, writes Robin Roberts. The Ibiza five-door range comprises three 1.0 litre petrol engined models of 80, 95 or 115ps with a choice of 5 or 6sp manual gearboxes and 7sp auto with the most powerful, plus 95ps 1.6 diesel 5sp manual-only … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Hyundai i10 Play
Schools are out and holidays are here, time to Play. The carefree approach mayn’t be what Hyundai had in mind but their city car is certainly light hearted and cheery. The i10 series is entry level to Hyundai range and comes in no less than seven trim levels, Play is second tier, with 67ps 1.0 litre or 87ps 1.2 litre petrol engines, 5sp manual or 4sp automatic … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Fiat 500 Convertible s/s
For any car to become an icon is remarkable, but to do it twice is, well, sensational, writes Robin Roberts. There is no doubting the fact that the Fiat 500 has been an unqualified double success, first launching in 1957 and then reborn fifty years later. Since 2007 a staggering two million Fiat 500 models have been built in Fiat’s Tychy, Poland plant and it’s spawned some 30 … [Read more...]
First drive: New Kia Picanto
Now in Kia dealerships is the third generation Picanto City Car but only in five door form due to the lack of demand for three door cars in this sector. New Picanto is more spacious and practical, better equipped with improved handling and ride comfort and has latest connectivity and driver assistance features. Prices for the new Picanto start from £9,450 and rise to £13,950 and if customers … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Kia Picanto for silver anniversary
During 25 years of trading in the UK, Kia has sold over 750,000 cars, almost half in the last five years and the target is to reach the one million mark by 2020, helped by models such as the Picanto city car. Kia was established in South Korea in 1944 building bicycles, then motorcycles and eventually cars. In Kia’s first year in the UK market they recorded 1,800 sales, a figure that it now … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Fiat 500 Lounge Twin Air
If you think a car has a personality, then the Fiat 500 Lounge TwinAir 105hp is a small, excitable child. The phrase “terrible twos” comes to mind because a child is full of unrestrained energy and cheek at that age but in the case of the Fiat 500 Lounge with boosted 105hp engine it really means the car is terribly good at its job. TwinAir 105hp has two cylinders and turbo-injection to … [Read more...]
