Volvo is on a roll, says David Miles.In September Volvo launched their premium brand graceful and sophisticated S90 large saloon and the V90 estate models. S90 saloons are priced from £32,555 and rise to £42,055. The more popular V90 estates start from £34,555 and rise to £44,055. Volvo UK do not talk about sales numbers but the brand has seen an increase so far this year of new … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Volkswagen Move up! 1.0
Small cars can sometimes give a tester the biggest surprises, such as the Volkswagen Move up!, says Robin RobertsThere are 17 models in the up! range from £9,370 to £11,750 for the 60, 75 and 90PS 1.0 petrol models and the five-door 82ps e-up! jumps to £25,280.The petrol versions come in three or five-door bodystyles with a choice of five-speed manual or five-speed sequential automatic … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Citroen Grand C4 Picasso
Sales of MPV people carriers have taken a hit in recent years from the public’s move to must-have fashionable SUVs, soft-offroaders and crossover models in recent years but there are signs of recovery prompted by the introduction of new models, reports David Miles. In 2015 MPV sales in the UK were down by over 21% to 131,085 vehicles whilst SUVs rose by 21.5%. Two replacement … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: McLaren 570GT Coupe
McLaren Automotive Limited has just undertaken ‘The Tour 2016’ to outline their plans for the next six years, says David Miles.Although the McLaren name has been synonymous with motor racing for over 50 years, their Automotive Limited division, which manufactures high quality sports road a track use coupes, has just completed their first business strategy six year plan called Track … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Honda NSX
It’s the supercar of the moment, says Robin Roberts.But that moment has lasted a long time. Three years in fact and the first UK owners will get behind the wheels of their state of art supercar just about now. A handful will be introduced over the coming months and just two dealers will handle the aftersales and servicing for the 100 NSX models to be delivered over two years with a full order … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: MINI Seven
MINI's boost in sales this year has been fuelled by the introduction of their Clubman range - their first C-segment MINI followed by the Convertible new range including the recently introduced JCW, or John Cooper Works variant, writes David Miles.The Convertible range now accounts for 10% of total UK MINI sales making it the best selling convertible in this countryThe MINI Seven is the … [Read more...]
Audi Q2 stretches sophistication
They have been queuing since August, but now Audi fans will be able see and touch the Q2 this weekend, writes Robin Roberts.Dealer launches for what Audi believe will become one of their best sellers are taking place from today (Saturday 5 Nov2016) for the staggering 18,000 people who registered an interest in the premium compact SUV car over the last three months.What’s really interesting … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Citroen C4 Cactus Rip Curl
One of the major issues for the French PSA Group is differentiating their three mainstream brands, Citroen, Peugeot and DS, says David Miles.Citroen are changing their position according to Linda Jackson, the brand’s chief executive is reported as saying at the C3 international media launch that “we’re now in the process of reconstructing an iconic brand and the C3 is the start.”So how … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Hyundai i20 Coupe 120ps
Horses for courses shows that Hyundai is not a one-trick pony.Founded as an engineering company in 1947 and a car company twenty years later, it relied on British, Japanese and Italian expertise to introduce its first model in 1975, the Pony.Since launching into the UK market in 1982 it has spread worldwide and became a manufacturer’s brand in 2005. It now sells city cars, family cars, … [Read more...]
Executive motoring: BMW 240i Coupe
At their annual end of year UK automotive media briefing BMW released images of their new 5 Series Saloon and Touring estate ranges which will be in the UK from February next year.Although not their largest selling model ranges the 5 Series accounts for one out of every four Euros the company makes. In the UK the 5 Series sells in the region of 15,000 units a year.Other news … [Read more...]
