The fifth generation Audi A6 Saloon and Avant estates are slowly coming to market, says David Miles. The 2.0-litre 40 4-cylinder TDI and 3.0 50 V6 TDI turbodiesel with mild hybrid support and automatic transmissions launched in September and met the new WLTP economy and CO2 requirements that month. Other engines are available to be ordered but deliveries have been delayed because of the … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Skoda Octavia vRS 2.0TDI 185 estate
The Octavia C-segment range of five door Hatch and Estate models is Skoda’s best selling model range accounting for 29% of their total UK sales,writes David Miles. The Octavia is available with a wide range of engine options, four TSI petrol units and three TDI diesels with power outputs ranging from 115 to 245hp. There is also the choice of DSG twin-clutch automatic transmissions with six … [Read more...]
Mercedes PHEVs available to order
The new Mercede-Benz plug in hybrid E 300 de Saloon and Estate are available to order, starting at £47,700 and £49,700 respectively. The new E 300 de redefines the executive hybrid segment, providing the ultimate combination of diesel’s long-distance efficiency and frugality with the emissions-free running of electricity for over 30 miles. The E 300 de Saloon and Estate are powered by a … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: SEAT Leon Cupra ST 4Drive
Let me introduce you to the wolf in sheep's clothing that is the SEAT Leon Cupra ST, writes David Miles. SEAT’s Leon range of mid-sized C-segment models covers SC three door hatchbacks, Leon five door hatchbacks and ST five door estates with a long list of 1.4 to 2.0-litre engines, both petrol and diesel, with a comprehensive level of specifications with prices covering a huge scale from … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Volvo V60 D4 estate
For over 60 years Volvo has built roomy, practical estates and the second generation V60 follows that tradition with a classy dynamic and elegant range, says David Miles. Sold by Ford eight years ago Volvo is now under the parentage of the Chinese Geely organisation but remains autonomous in most ways still developing their own Scandinavian innovative design-led models. The launch of the … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Subaru Outback 4WD Estate
The updated Subaru Outback continues to be a 4WD crossover estate, conservatively styled and still very much a niche model from a niche brand but with a loyal customer following,says David Miles. For the 2018 model year the range is limited to just two variants, the £29,995 SE and £33,010 SE Premium. Both use a non-turbo 2.5-litre, four-cylinder ‘Boxer’ flat-four cylinder 175hp petrol engine … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Audi RS4 Avant 2.9TFSI quattro
The Audi RS4 has come of age and matured into a stunning model in its latest semi-estate or Avant version, writes Robin Roberts. RS4 production has been on and off since it was launched in 1999 and it is currently the fourth generation of the most driver-focused model in the immensely popular and wide Audi A4 range. Audi looked very hard at the sector where it wanted to push the RS4 and … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Volvo V90 AWD Ocean Race
Big, bright and brimming with technology, the Volvo V90 Ocean Race Edition echoes the round-the-world racing yachts of the same name. They are eye-catching on the water, but the special edition big estate is every-inch a head-turner on the road in its white bodywork with grey and orange details, unique wheels and highlighted interior leather stitching and contrasting orange seat-belts. All … [Read more...]
New Ford Focus redefines family motoring
Britain’s best selling family car moves up several gears in September with the new Ford Focus. Building on its reputation for good handling from its launch 20 years ago, the newest generation is brimming with the latest technology under the all-new stronger bodies, including the latest Dragon petrol engines from Bridgend along with a new eight-speed automatic transmission. The new Focus … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Volvo V90 T6 AWD Cross Country Pro Estate
With the demonization of diesel powered vehicles and the significant fall in oil-burner sales, a fall in the UK new car market of 25.6% in January on top of the 17.1% for the whole of 2017, it’s only natural that manufacturers are introducing more petrol engine options writes David Miles. Volvo for instance with their V90 estates have just added a T4 turbocharged 190hp four cylinder petrol unit … [Read more...]