To those in the know, Suzuki has a very strong engineering history and its 4x4 models’ capabilities are legendary and affordable. It’s the same story with the new Suzuki Vitara Full Hybrid just tested as the more powerful electric motor has been introduced to not only increase power but also efficiency and economy, and it’s reflected in a lower exhaust emissions figure as well which, of course, … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: MINI Electric Shadow Edition
The coming of the electric car age is going to make us all re-evaluate our motoring lives and what we expect from them, much in the same way as the diminutive Mini drove a change in our lives over 60 years ago. So it seems reasonable that the MINI Electric might just do what its petrol forebears did and change our views towards electric cars of today. While some brands are locked in stretching … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: BMW 220d M Sport Coupe
To those of a certain age there was only one sporting car, a rear-wheel-drive coupe, and this simple formula mix are the ingredients in the BMW 220d M Sport we have just tested. Front-wheel-drive hot-hatches largely replaced the iconic ideal must-have for enthusiasts but they never replaced the balanced handling and driving satisfaction of a RWD coupe. BMW itself has built some memorable FWD … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Honda e Advanced
Honda is currently taking a different lane down the electric highway opening for us in Britain and Europe and selling the Honda e city car. While most car makers want to get us into their small to medium sized hatchbacks and crossover models, Honda e is unashamedly a model intended for commuters and staged longer journeys. It’s essentially a city car with style and sophistication. With a … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Mazda CX-5 2.0 Newground
While not having a huge range, Mazda has a well-defined line up in significant sectors. Most people will blurt out MX-5 if asked to name their most identifiable model, so you may be surprised to learn that the crossover CX-5 has been their global best seller since 2014. Over 70,000 are now on UK roads and it makes up 25% of Mazda British sales. Produced from 2012, in the UK it replaced the … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Toyota Aygo X Edge
With more people than ever now living in urban areas car makers are considering how they meet their requirements and the Toyoto Aygo X is the latest from one of the world’s biggest manufacturers. It first gave us the Aygo in 2005 but time and tastes change so Toyota has updated its original model and created the Aygo X, which has a chunkier and stronger look, better equipment and retains the … [Read more...]
Grenadier marches into South & West Wales
One of the oldest family motor businesses in Britain is preparing to launch one of the country's newest brands. Founded in 1926, C E M Day has been appointed South and West Wales agency for Ineos Grenadier, which arrives later this year. C E M Day is still headquartered in Wales but has sales, service and rental outlets nationwide with a handful of popular brands apart from Ford which it took … [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: Audi e-tron GT
Audi is on a charge into the pure-electric luxury car sector. For almost a decade it has dabbled in the EV market with plug in hybrid models of existing series but the dedicated pure battery e-tron series clearly shows its future intent. The e-tron programme is part of the parent Volkswagen Group’s technology being applied to its sporting Porsche brand but refined and engineered for Audi … [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...]
