When one of the world’s biggest vehicle makers launches a model you usually have to sit up and take notice, however, the Ford Ranger Raptor demands attention. Based on a conventional pickup which is one of America’s best selling vehicles, the Ranger Raptor SE has been given a performance make-over to cope with both European roads and more demanding driving styles than encountered on the plains … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: First drive Suzuki Vitara Full Hybrid
Suzuki has not skimped on kitting out their new-age full hybrid Vitara SUV and it represents much better value than its closest eight rivals. Every model gets intellingent braking assistance, blind spot monitor with rear cross traffic alert, traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise, seven airbags, Smartphone connectivity, remote key, navigation and climate control. On top of this standard … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Volvo V60 Recharge PHEV R-Design
Volvo had a truly remarkable 2021 and with an enhanced range unfolding this year that success will continue. In a UK market which saw just 1% expansion, the Volvo line up increased 4% to 48,260 cars giving them a record 2.93% share of the British total. Most of that came from the new Volvo Recharge PHEVs and pure electric models which doubled in demand and accounted for 37% of registrations. … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Mercedes-Benz E220 d Saloon
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 in 2020 give it a new grille, nose and … [Read more...]
Honda e:HRV further step on electrification this year
Honda is boosting its electric offensive with the introduction of the e:HRV in November. The new generation HRV uses two electric motors driving the front wheels to assist the regular 1.5 litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine but it’s not a plug-in hybrid. The 131ps maximum powertrain develops 253Nm at 4,500rpm and is essentially a boosted version of that in the Honda Jazz and comes as the … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Nissan Leaf e-Tekna
The Nissan Leaf is the world’s best selling electric passenger car and it’s easy to see why, writes Robin Roberts. Often the benchmark for newer rivals, the Leaf’s a genuine five-seater with a good practical range over 200 miles and comes with a sensible choice of domestic or fast charger cables. The second generation, Sunderland-built Leaf is sold in three grades, Acenta, N-Connecta and Tekna … [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 & column paddles. If you’ve had a good … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Audi Q7 55 TFSI e quattro auto
Audi like to do things differently and their latest model actually delivers less but gives you more. The Q7 has been a hallmark with its seven-seats but the new mild-hybrid 3.0 TFSI petrol version tested punches out more power and gives passengers more space by fitting just five seats. It’s always been debatable whether a cramped seven-seater was really desirable and how valuable it would … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Honda HR-V Sport CVT
The word ‘crossover model’ is often over-used and exaggerated, but not with the Honda HR-V in its top Sport CVT trim, writes Robin Roberts. The original Hybrid Recreational Vehicle from 1999 was a more sober-suited trendsetter but a lot has happened in two decades as fashions changed. More manufacturers have poured into the market for practical but performance edged cars, some without any real … [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...]
