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...]
Weekend roadtest: Vauxhall Viva Rocks 1.0
The greatest challenge to any car designer is getting the most of what you are given, and when Vauxhall’s team wanted to create a very compact SUV they looked to the Viva. The original Viva was a boxy saloon built in Ellesmere Port, now home of the Astra, from 1963 to 1979 and that spawned what you might call an SUV – a Services Utility Vehicle. Better known as the Bedford HA van it was a … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: SEAT Arona SE Technology 1.0TSI 95ps
The SEAT Arona SUV mid-sized range not only spoils you for choice, it spoils you full stop. There’s a choice of over 20 models in a handful of trim levels and using 95, 115 or 150ps petrol engines as well as 95 and 115 diesels with manual or automatic transmission choices and priced between £13,600 and £20,500. That’s what you might reasonably expect from one of the biggest car groups in the … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Vauxhall Adam Rocks Unlimited 115ps
"A car says a lot about you" is an expression which can be applied to nearly everyone and that’s really true about the Vauxhall Adam Rocks Unlimited. After the introduction of its new Adam city hatchback car for the second decade of the 21st century, Vauxhall set about making it highly individual and added the fabric roofed Rocks Unlimited series. With that came the ability to pick … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Skoda Octavia SE Hatchback 1.0 TSI
Combining a roomy mid-sized family hatchback with a small 1.0-litre three cylinder petrol engine could be a step too far in terms of dull performance and disappointing fuel economy. But it's not so with the latest Skoda Octavia five door Hatchback. That is powered by the Volkswagen Group’s 1.0-litre, three cylinder TSI 115hp turbo petrol engine. Whilst diesel engines and the Octavia in … [Read more...]