Diversity has driven the car industry for over a century responding to the changing society it serves, so we shouldn’t be surprised when a traditional sporting brand looks at something different,writes Robin Roberts. Premium brands including Aston Martin, Audi, Bentley, BMW, Jaguar, Maserati and Porsche are examples which come to mind, but there is also the … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Citroen C3 PureTech 110
When a car-maker refreshes and updates one of its best selling models their rivals and customers had better take notice and the new Citroen C3 deserves that attention. It underwent an extensive makeover last year but global events overshadowed it so it was good to catch up with the compact five-door model a short time ago. The third generation C3 … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Suzuki Swace, SZ-T
The Suzuki Swace hybrid 5-door mid-sized estate is the second recent model to join the Suzuki range from their partnership with Toyota formed in 2019, writes David Miles. Toyota also manufacture the Across large-ish Plug-in-Hybrid SUV which is based on the new RAV4 PHEV. The addition of Swace and Across models to the Suzuki range means all Suzuki models … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Fiat 500X Sport 150
Fiat know a lot about turning the ordinary into the extra-ordinary, like they have with the hotter version of the very popular 500 series, writes Robin Roberts. Their best seller for 60 years, the Fiat 500 is boosted by the X Sport, given a beefier 150bhp 1.3 litre four-cylinder engine in the top model tested with a silky automatic transmission & … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Citroen C5 Aircross PHEV
The Citroen C5 Aircross has been a winner for the French marque from its 2017 launch and it’s about to ease them into a new era, writes Robin Roberts. Within six months of going on sale, over 50,000 models had been delivered and it’s updates include a Plug-in Hybrid Electric version. That brings a big saving at first registration and if you only do a … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Audi A3 Saloon 35 TDI 150hp automatic
Affordability and suitability is now more relevant than ever in modern times, says David Miles. Do we actually now need a large and expensive business model for long journeys, do we actually need to go anywhere as business is less about face to face and more about emails, zooming or phone calls? Do we need a large car for just one person? As an example of … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Jeep Wrangler Sahara Unlimited
Respect is earned, not awarded, in the motor industry, and one of the most influential vehicle brands is Jeep, now on the eve of celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2021. Think about that for a minute; it was born out of WW2 conflict, battled through the 20thcentury’s consumer culture and taken on many imitators. It’s doubtful that Land Rover would exist … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Honda Jazz Crosstar e-HEV
It might be music to some people’s ears that Honda is bringing us more Jazz but their F1 programme looks more like hokey cokey, observes David Miles. Announced last week Honda F1 is quitting at the end of next year, they were first involved in 1964 and out in 1968, in again in1983 and out in 1992, back in again in 2000, out in 2008 in again in 2015 and now … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Toyota Corolla Touring Sports Trek 1.8 Hybrid
With staycations forced upon many of us due to the pandemic lockdown on overseas travel, activity holidays in the UK are at record levels whether it involves hotels, B&Bs, caravanning, camping, glamping, boating or hiking, writes David Miles. UK sales and rentals of motorhomes, caravans, campers, tents and even Shepherd’s Huts are booming. With … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Subaru Forester 2.0XE automatic
Some car-makers shout about their success in your face but Subaru doesn’t need to because the all-new Forester 2.0XE Premium Lineartronic actually watches your face. Facial recognition is fitted to the instruments to ensure the driver’s eyes concentrate on the road ahead and this combined with a suite of safety features using exterior … [Read more...]
