If proof was needed that sleeping giants are a threat, then the Vauxhall Astra proves it with the facelifted models now reaching showrooms, writes Robin Roberts. The model has been a staple of the Vauxhall brand for 40 years as the eighth-generation arrives and it’s arguably the best, and has benefitted from input by new owners Peugeot Citroen. A new or revised range of engines … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Nissan Micra Tekna IG-T100 CVT auto
The 100hp turbo petrol engine is perky in performance and the design of the five-door supermini sized hatchback body is blindingly more eye-catching than the previous four generations of Micra which have been served up since 1983, writes David Miles. Most recently Nissan further revised some of the power units available in the updated range and these EU6 compliant units include a … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Mercedes-Benz A 180d Sport
The UK is the largest global market for the Mercedes-Benz A-Class range of five door hatchbacks and four door saloons with over 340,000 sold since the first generation arrived in 1997, writes David Miles. Last year a record 43,527 of them were sold in the UK making it the UK’s eighth best selling model range and this year it has moved up the top ten sales chart to fourth position. … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Ford Focus Titanium X 1.0-litre petrol
The latest generation Ford Focus was initially revealed to the motoring media in France in June this year but it wasn’t until September that models arrived in UK showrooms, writes David Miles. Now full UK sales are underway as the latest generation Focus five door hatchback and estate models aims to maintain their best selling family car title in the troubled new car market. The new Focus … [Read more...]
First drive: New MG3 is safe and sound
Having been through many periods of ownership, including BMC and British Leyland, today MG is in the hands of SAIC, China’s largest car manufacturer, writes David Miles. They sold 6.9-million new cars last year globally, 3.52-million in the first six months of this year, and MG is now the global brand for SAIC outside China and for the domestic market their brand of different models is … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Peugeot 308GTLine 130 automatic
The Peugeot 308 has been European Car of the Year and is very much up to date now after a comprehensive reworking, writes Robin Roberts. The Peugeot 308 succeeded the 307 in September 2007 with the first generation running until 2013, then voted CoY in 2014 with the second generation and in 2017 it was given a very comprehensive styling, equipment and powertrain makeover. This essentially gave … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Lexus CT200h Luxury
The Lexus CT200h is in its sixth year of production and for a final throw of the dice before its replaced it has some useful styling and equipment updates for the 2018 model year. The CT200h is the steppingstone model into the premium Lexus brand which celebrates its 30th anniversary next year of being introduced by Toyota. The CT200 range was a big move to providing a range of premium … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport GSi
The new Vauxhall Insignia range of Grand Sport five door D-segment hatchbacks and Sports Tourer estate were launched last year and in March this year the flagship higher performance GSi versions in both body styles arrived in UK showrooms, writes David Miles. Prices start from £33,415 on-the-road with both engines costing the same, only the price of the body style differs. In addition … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Honda Civic diesel
Honda believe in playing the long game, writes David Miles. Its first car to arrive in the UK in 1973 was a Japanese built Civic 1.2-litre petrol two door saloon and last year the tenth generation Civic, a lower medium sector five door hatchback went on sale and it’s built in Britain at Swindon Plant and exported globally to over 70 different countries. UK Civic sales are close to 20,000 … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Kia Stinger 3.3T-GDi V6 GTS
The Kia Stinger 3.3V6 is going to lift eye-brows and expectations for the Korean brand. Its £40,000-plus price is expensive for those use to its stablemates while its styling, performance and refinement will have drivers of rival German brands thinking why couldn’t they save money and move into this newcomer. With input from former Audi and BMW leading engineers perhaps we … [Read more...]
