A second version of the Audi e-tron charged with opening up the benefits of the first fully electric Audi to a wider audience will launch in the UK in 2020. The Audi e-tron 50 quattro will complement the existing e-tron 55 quattro model, its 71 kWh battery and two electric motors providing for a range of up to 186 miles according to the WLTP test cycle and its 120kW charging capability … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Skoda Kodiaq vRS 240hp 7 seats
The award winning, highly praised Skoda Kodiaq range of SUVs has a new flagship model, writes David Miles. It’s the vRS 240hp biturbo automatic 4x4 model priced at a hefty £42,870, but added options can push that price up even further. For those looking for less performance, but still with the same practicalities of a family sized large SUV range, Kodiaq prices start from … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Jeep Grand Cherokee Night Eagle 3.0
The Jeep Grand Cherokee 4x4 is a globally recognised large, five-seater, hard-core heavyweight and seriously capable off-roader with a long history and high specification, writes David Miles. It has evolved over many years since 1993 with over five million sales, the most recent in the hands of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles alliance. Now in its fourth generation the Jeep Grand … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Jeep Compass Limited 2.0 MultiJet II
On paper the new Jeep Compass compact SUV has all the elements for it to be heading in the right direction in terms of size, five star safety equipment, five year warranty, inclusive specifications and some competitive prices in a fast growing SUV market, writes David Miles. The second generation Jeep Compass arrived in the UK in February and is positioned in the Jeep range between … [Read more...]
First drive: New Suzuki Jimny
You’ll be lucky, very lucky, to get behind the wheel of the new generation Suzuki Jimny, says David Miles. Dale Wyatt, Director of Suzuki Automobiles in the UK said this week at the press launch for the new Jimny small SUV, “The new Jimny is the most irritating car I’ve launched. Why? Because demand is outstripping supply. “We received over 10,000 enquiries from potential UK … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: BMW X4 2.0d M Sport
BMW has been in the driving seat of the SUV sector for a number of years, notably in America but also in Europe, writes Robin Roberts. It has gradually spread its experience through all sizes of cross-over models but it’s arguably in its element with the X4, the bigger stablemate to the X3 and without going into the higher priced and larger X5 family series. Up to now it’s range … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Toyota Land Cruiser Invincible 2.8-litre
Sold in over 190 countries around the World, the latest Land Cruiser and Toyota’s all wheel drive technology has 65 years of history in their tracks, writes David Miles. The hard-core Land Cruiser has a legendary reputation for toughness, reliability, durability and go-anywhere capabilities whether its jungle, desert, mountain, war zones, peace keeping and humanitarian aid, holiday tour … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Fiat Panda 4×4 1.3
Italian singers are often short in stature but big in heart and voice, just like the Fiat Panda 4x4. The cheeky all-wheel-drive car is part of a compact 12-model range sharing a 5-door body. It provides a choice of 900cc or 1.2 litre petrol engines along with a 1.3 diesel, in five trim levels and even offers a semi-automatic for the easiest of lives either in town or country, and with front … [Read more...]
Suzuki success is down to a way of life
It might be a sunny day that turns into a winter snowstorm or a music festival that becomes a mud-bath but when the conditions change you’ll undoubtedly wish you had a 4x4. The chances are you will not because most consider a 4x4 as big and expensive, but what if I told you the car to get you out of similar situations is actually smaller and less money than you would probably think? And what … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Skoda Octavia Estate Scout
Don’t fancy being one of the latest craze of ‘me-too’ buyers of small medium and large SUVs and Crossovers, but need a bit more security of 4x4 traction, then the new car market offers an increasing number of choices of all-wheel-drive cars and estates. Scouting around a Skoda dealership, or their website, you will come across the Octavia Estate Scout 4x4 five door available with two … [Read more...]