If you’ve ever spent a night sleeping in your car it can be a very disconcerting place to wake up, but that was one of the tests engineers set themselves creating the new Honda Civic e:HEV. Sleeping on the job took on a whole new purpose for them to evaluate the interior and the view out of it after a night’s kip in the car. What is seen when opening the eyes, how relaxing it is and what does … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Honda CR-V 2.0i MMD AWD hybrid
Honda tends to hide its qualities very well, which probably explains why it may not be the first go-to brand for an SUV, and that would be a mistake for any motorist to make. Korean, German and British brands tend to hog the limelight and sales in this section of the market but the reality is the Honda CR-V can hold its own against some better-known names and is not only superior in certain … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Honda Jazz Crosstar EX
Among the Japanese automotive brands, Honda stands out as being a bit different, not afraid to have a go at something while remaining fiercely independent, even if it tends to change its mind from time to time. One of the enduring models in its UK lineup for two decades has been the Jazz series of supermini’s, which morphed into the Jazz Crosstar crossover model, effectively a taller hatchback a … [Read more...]
EV-eryone is planning for 2030
A tsunami of technology is sweeping over the automotive industry. It’s washing away the very foundations of many automotive companies and bringing together manufacturers and different technologies as a new order emerges. It’s also become time critical as governments around the world have largely said they want zero emission vehicles by 2030 to 2050. The rush is on. Here we look at what we know … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Honda HR-V Advance Style
The new Honda HR-V is a step-change for this conservative car-maker. While its head-turning but now discontinued NSX and still in production hot Civics stand out from more run of mill models in showrooms, they made progress with the new Jazz but have really ramped up styling in the new HR-V launched last autumn. It’s bigger than the last generation and there is much more room inside the … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Excel AWD
It's the original Toyota SUV and the latest RAV4 is still one of the best you can buy in this booming sector. The Recreational Activity Vehicle 4 was launched in the mid-1990s as Toyota's first SUV intended to offer more space and luggage room for families who liked an out-door lifestyle. It was available with a 2.0 petrol engine and choice of front or all-wheel-drive in three or five-door body … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Toyota Camry Excel
After 15 years out of the UK market, the new generation Toyota Camry is turning heads with its striking saloon shape. While hatchbacks and SUVs have come to dominate registrations and estate cars are few and far between, the once highly popular saloon stands out as a distinctive offering. But beauty is more than skin-deep in the Toyota Camry as it uses the Toyota New Global Architecture … [Read more...]
Breen and Puma spearhead Ford WRC bids
M-Sport Ford has announced that Craig Breen and Paul Nagle will spearhead the World Rally team’s attack on the 2022 and 2023 FIA World Rally Championship, behind the wheel of the all-new M-Sport Ford Puma Hybrid Rally1 car. With all-new technical regulations being introduced for 2022, the WRC moves to a new era of competition and sees the introduction of a space frame chassis for the Puma … [Read more...]
New Honda HR-V arrives in November
Honda has confirmed pricing details for its all-new HR-V compact SUV. Starting from £26,960, all variants of this latest generation HR-V are equipped as standard with Honda’s advanced two-motor e:HEV hybrid electric vehicle powertrain technology, representing the latest step in the brand’s commitment to electrify all of its mainstream models in Europe by 2022. The range consists of the … [Read more...]
New Vauxhall Astra orders open this autumn
The forthcoming eighth generation Vauxhall Astra will be available with petrol, diesel and hybrid powertrains when they get into dealerships early next year and a fully electric model will arrive in 2023. A Sport Tourer will go on sale in about 12 months time as Vauxhall ramp up their offensive and work towards a fully electric line up of all models by 2028. … [Read more...]