Audi has been one of the most successful brands in modern times as it aims squarely at making the cars people want to buy and their Q3 subcompact crossover hits the nail on the head. Initially launched in 2011 with a mid-life facelift afterwards, the larger second generation hit the road in 2018 sitting on the latest versatile MQB platform from the Volkswagen Group and offers hybrid powertrains … [Read more...]
Pirelli Welsh National Rally Championship is rolling
Registrations have flooded in for the 2021 Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh National Rally Championship with vibrant new class structure designed to attract a wide variety of cars and drivers. This year’s Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh National Rally Championship will feature 14 different classes including, by popular demand, a new category for Road Rally cars. With points awarded to the top 22 … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Honda CR-V 2.0 i-MMD Hybrid
Honda is raising its game with the latest CR-V SUV, writes David Miles. Announced in December for the 2021 model year, it’s available now only with petrol electric hybrid power in 2WD or 4WD forms depending on spec level chosen. So it’s the latest 2021 model year CR-V we are reviewing with its new e:HEV branding and prices range from £30,880 for the base S spec 2WD version to £39,840 for the top … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Hyundai Tucson Ultimate 1.6 T-GDi 150ps
Hyundai has built its UK reputation on family values competitive pricing and an ever-expanding range of SUVs. While it’s just announced its latest player on the street, the Bayon SUV, it success has largely been down to the Tucson, itself comprehensively facelifted for 2021. Since its launch 17 years ago, Tucson has become Hyundai’s best-selling SUV with 7 million sales globally … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: SEAT Arona Xcellence 1.0 TSI
In the much-troubled year of 2020 new car sales across the globe stalled and even the must-have Crossover/SUV styled vehicles saw their sales flatten, writes David Miles. According to JATO Dynamics reliable new car sales figures, although such vehicles still accounted for 40% of all cars sold in Europe there was no growth. They added ‘Over the last six years, SUVs have been a consistent driver … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Nissan X-Trail Tekna
The Nissan X-Trail has been a long-lived and much loved member of the Japanese family, sitting above the smaller Qashqai SUV with which it shares much of its components and technology. Launched in 2001 as a tough dual purpose 4x4 alternative to the bigger and heavier Patrol 4x4, the X-Trail has gone through three generations and it cannot be too long before it is again revised or … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Ford Kuga ST-Line X 2.5 PHEV
After the Coronavirus lockdown Ford is in full delivery mode with the all-new third generation Kuga SUV 5-door range, writes David Miles. That’s good timing as pent-up demand by UK customers saw overall new car sales increase by 11% in July but sadly remain nearly 42% down for the year-to-date. The Kuga is crucial in Ford’s sales performance as it is their third best selling model range … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Suzuki S-Cross 1.4 Boosterjet SZ-T Hybrid
Fire-up the S-Cross: I’m back road testing new cars again now the UK’s pandemic lockdown rules have been relaxed to a certain extent, says David Miles. The rule changes mean that car manufacturers, importers and dealerships are getting back on track and some of us motoring media types are partially able to sample new models. However availability of test cars will be spasmodic and limited due to … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Audi Q3 Sportback
As Audi so aptly puts it their new Q3 Sportback is a different slant on their Q3 SUV, writes David Miles. It’s a variation on the Q3 theme, familiar versatility but now with a racier coupe inspired side profile and rear end styling themes. But will this edgier dynamic design give Audi a sales edge in the over supplied medium sized SUV/Crossover market sector where numerous brands have stepped … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Ford Ranger Double Cab Limited 2.0-litre
In the UK the award winning Ford Ranger sold 16,458 units in 2019 retaining its top sales position in a market sector of 53,055 sales, a 1%fall over 2018, writes David Miles. Europe’s, and the UK’s, best selling pick-up range received major changes towards the end of last year plus the addition of new variants to the line up which includes 2-door 2-seat Regular Cab, 2-door 4-seat Super Cab and … [Read more...]