As Mercedes-Benz’s best selling series, the mid-sized E-Class has been a benchmark for rivals and it’s still a byword for the executive market today. Originating in 1946, over 14 million saloon and estate models have been sold since 1953 before being joined by the coupe and cabriolet bodystyles and it now represents the tenth generation. A facelift … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Jaguar XE D200 SE R Dynamic
Jaguar’s baby car is maturing. The Jaguar XE series was introduced in 2015 to replace the X-Type and has been refreshed over six years so it now comprises more than a dozen models using the same four-door saloon body with petrol or diesel engines in rear or all-wheel-drive and five trim levels from standard to highly sporting as befits Jaguar's … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Kia Sorento 4 1.6HEV
The Kia Sorento 4 is full of surprises in a market which often delivers nothing out of the ordinary, writes Robin Roberts. I mean; what car comes with an beach, a wood-burner, a café or its own forest? They are part of the “nat sounds” available in the highly sophisticated infotainment system and are a calming or relaxing influence in a car … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Vauxhall New Insignia Sri VX-Line Nav
The Vauxhall Insignia is a lesson to rivals. While many challengers have or are about to move out of saloons/ hatchbacks and into crossover models in the modestly priced family sector, or executive brands keep pushing up prices but offering less in return, the Vauxhall hatchback stands out as extremely good value and packaging. The Insignia range today … [Read more...]
Maserati Levante Hybrid arrives in July
The Maserati Levante Hybrid is the company’s next model as it realigns its EV range. The car's been revealed at the Shanghai Auto Show this week and will go on UK sale in July when its price will be revealed. It uses an e-boosted version of the company’s 2.0 four-cylinder petrol engine with sophisticated recharging system and permanent 4x4 … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Volkswagen Arteon Shooting Brake
You can rightly expect exotic sports cars to turn heads, but when an estate car from a volume manufacturer manages to do that, you know the designers have created something very pleasing to the eyes. So it was full marks to the designers of the Volkswagen Arteon Shooting Brake which never failed on our test to turn heads with its … [Read more...]
Christmas 2020 roadtest: Aston Martin DBX
Christmas cheer comes in the shape of the new Aston Martin DBX, writes Robin Roberts. Aston Martin is a survivor in a world of hard knocks and is now looking for a smoother ride with their latest DBX sports utility vehicle. After 100 years of making some of the most sought after sports cars in the world it has applied its knowledge to what it sees as a … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Volvo XC40 B5 AWD R-Design Pro
To their credit Volvo Cars was the first established car maker to commit to all-out electrification and is the only brand to offer a plug-in hybrid variant of every model in its line-up, writes David Miles. I was scheduled to test drive Volvo’s latest award winning SUV, the compact XC40 but in its PHEV plug-in hybrid form. Unfortunately, … [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...]
Sunday drive: BMW 5 Series Touring 520d M Sport
The longest serving model range in the BMW line-up is the 5 Series launched seven generations ago in 1972, writes David Miles. Since the last new models were launched in 2017 over 66,000 of them have been sold in the UK and 600,000 of them globally, now it the latest updated models which have just gone on sale and there are more versions to … [Read more...]
