Britain’s oldest car-maker is gearing up for the electric future, beginning with the Corsa-e, writes Robin Roberts. The highly popular small hatchback is a natural starting point aimed at those who mostly commute or have low mileage lifestyles. Responding to the UK Government’s drive towards lower and zero emission cars from 2030, the Vauxhall Corsa-e is available in six trim … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: MINI John Cooper Works GP3
Following the success of the two previous MINI GP models introduced in 2006 and 2013, the new limited edition MINI John Cooper Works GP3, is the most powerful and fastest production MINI ever sold, writes David Miles. Just 3,000 of these models will be built at MINI Plant Oxford for global sales with 575 of them available to UK customers. They are priced from £35,345 on-the-road … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Skoda Octavia SE L FE Hatch 2.0 TDI 150hp
The new fourth generation Skoda Octavia Hatch and Estate models are here following the Covid-19 lockdown and UK customers can now take delivery of their new models or now more likely to wait until the new registration plate change month of September, writes David Miles. The Octavia has been a huge global sales success but UK buyers have had a strong association with the models with over 500,000 … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Skoda Scala Monte Carlo 1.5 TSI Hatchback
The five door family sized C-segment Scala hatchback was launched towards the end of last year but it’s only now the range-topping Monte Carlo sports spec level is introduced, writes David Miles. The Scala was effectively a replacement for Skoda’s underwhelming Rapid range and sits between the Czech brand’s Fabia supermini sized hatchback and estate models and the highly rated … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Skoda Superb PHEV
Skoda’s hugely popular and award winning Superb range of large Hatch and Estate models has received a further boost to their range with the addition of petrol-electric PHEV models, writes David Miles. The global car industry is moving quickly to provide hybrids and pure electric powered models to meet the new the new EU emission regulations. These come into force from 1 January 2021 and electric … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Audi A1 citycarver
The citycarver is a 5-door supermini sector sized hatchback based on the Audi A1 Sportback but with pseudo-SUV styling, writes David Miles. It is priced from £22,040 and it is aimed at urban jungle motoring say Audi, whatever that is. There is no 4WD option, all models are only front-wheel drive so it’s another case of styling over function. The starter citycarver model is actually £1,400 more … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Suzuki Swift SZ5 Allgrip
Winter weather is a great leveller for motorists, writes Robin Roberts. Heavy rain, snow showers, ice and mud can combine to make any possible winter journey an impossibility unless you have a big and expensive 4x4, or you cannily drive a Suzuki Swift SZ5 Allgrip. This is the hatch that’s a match for many winter road washouts or white-outs. What’s more it will not break the bank or cost you high … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Fiat 500 Rockstar TA hatchback
In my experience, if they are not larger than life, rock stars tend to be small and noisy performers, and the Fiat Rockstar lived up to expectations. Very much the baby in the extensive Fiat family of cars, the 500 has been one of its most successful and in 2019 passed the 3million sold mark. That success has been down to the fact it meets the needs of so many at comparatively … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Toyota Prius AWD-i petrol-electric hybrid
Launched about a year ago was the new fourth generation Toyota Prius which had first use of Toyota’s New Global Architecture platform which in the case of the Prius lowered the ride height, gave a more engaging drive and improved the interior quality, writes David Miles. It also introduced to the Prius brand a more acceptable exterior body style now similar to subsequent other new Toyota models … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Honda Civic 1.5T Sport Plus
The Honda Civic made in Britain has been a cornerstone of the Japanese company, but times are changing.They will be exiting their Swindon factory in 2021 after 36-years as the company realigns its manufacturing and concentrates on fuller utilization of its home plants.But that decision does not dent the appeal of the latest Civic hatchback, arguably the best so far, and it's … [Read more...]
