By: Dave Moss (a highly respected motoring writer, and a valued contributor to Wheels-Alive) Published by: RAC/Veloce, paperback Price: £9.99 ISBN: 978 1 845843 51 9 Available online: Veloce, Amazon and other online bookstores, or can be ordered via bookshops everywhere; also available as an e-book. www.veloce.co.uk/shop These days, car users are under pressure from all sides. Fuel costs … [Read more...]
Contributors
Number Plates
By: Dave Moss (a highly respected motoring writer, and a valued contributor to Wheels-Alive) Published by: Shire Books, paperback Price: £4.99 ISBN: 978 0 747805 66 3 Available via: Shire books, Amazon and other online bookstores, or can be ordered via bookshops everywhere. www.shirebooks.co.uk Registration marks are one of the very few unbroken links between the earliest times of the … [Read more...]
Mazda3 SKYACTIV-G 2.0 litre 120 PS Sport Nav manual
Tom Scanlan gets behind the wheel... Mazda’s ‘SKYACTIV’ technology is once again to the fore in its all-new Mazda3 range. SKYACTIV, says Mazda, involves carefully-designed engine mechanicals with ‘world-beating’ compression ratios, sophisticated chassis technology and the use of light weight but super-strong construction. Two body styles are available: Hatchback and Fastback, and engine … [Read more...]
Haynes International Motor Museum – Bigger And Even Better!
Improved Haynes International Motor Museum opens Kim Henson was there… For me, it was certainly a case of déjà vu… On a beautiful summer’s day in July 1985, I was as Sparkford, in Somerset, on the site of an old sawmill, witnessing the opening of a brand new motor museum. At that time, the new Museum accommodated just 33 vehicles, donated by Founder and Chairman John H. Haynes OBE (who, of … [Read more...]
Classic Skodas
CLASSIC SKODAS Kim Henson takes a look at some Skodas from decades past… ILLUSTRIOUS HERITAGE Before talking about some specific models, first a little history… Today’s individualistic Skodas successfully incorporate engineering elements common to cars across the Volkswagen Group, blended with innovative styling and the use of many components/systems unique to Skoda models. Most buyers … [Read more...]
Skoda Rapid Spaceback (also Octavia Elegance, brief drive)
Kim Henson welcomes Skoda’s attractive newcomer… In recent years the Skoda company has been enjoying considerable success in the U.K. Its distinctive models have plenty of appeal for British buyers seeking competent dynamic performance, practicality and true value for their money. As a result, Skoda sales are increasing at a rate much faster than those of the U.K. market when viewed as a … [Read more...]
Fiat 500L Trekking
Tom Scanlan reports... Fiat’s 500L Trekking is one of three bigger types of 500, alongside the 500L and the longer 500L MPW (Multi Purpose Wagon). The idea behind the Trekking is to hint at its potential to be a car that is ideal for the countryside, without compromising its performance in the city. It could perhaps be described as purposeful, rather than pretty like the 500. It has, … [Read more...]
Audi A3 1.8 TFSI Saloon
by Tom Scanlan Audi’s A3 saloon was launched last Autumn in the UK, filling a gap in the company’s range. Thus, it’s their first compact saloon, rivalling BMW’s 120, Lexus IS and Mercedes-Benz CLA, for example. This car is lower, longer and wider than its A3 Sportback counterpart. Of the four engine varieties available, the 1.8-litre TFSI petrol engine offers the most power; its 180PS … [Read more...]
Sunbeam Start-up – National Motor Museum, Beaulieu
Sir Malcolm Campbell’s land speed record breaking 350hp Sunbeam has been fired up in anger in the New Forest for the first time in over 50 years following a major eight-year mechanical rebuild. BY CHRIS ADAMSON The first car to exceed 150mph it was also the first vehicle to carry the famous Bluebird name and over its life set numerous speed records. Prior to this week’s start-up at the … [Read more...]
Kia pro_cee’d GT
Kia is best known for its low prices and industry-leading seven-year warranty – now it is hoping to inject a little excitement into the brand image with its first serious hot hatchback, the pro_cee’d GT. A quick glance at the three-door GT and it is clear Kia has serious intentions, if only from the way that the car looks – and it has taken five years of design work to get it looking like … [Read more...]
Peugeot 2008
by Chris Adamson Crossovers started life as slightly shrunken 4x4s with the option not to have four-wheel drive – now there is a new sub-compact class that comes from the opposite direction by pumping up standard hatchbacks and among the newest is the Peugeot 2008. Based on the latest 208 the extra zero sees the body grow by 197mm (7.75in) in length and 92mm (3.62in) in height while retaining … [Read more...]
A Welsh Tour in a Suzuki Swift 1.3 DDiS
Kim Henson describes an enjoyable break in north/mid Wales. WALES, HERE WE COME You may already have seen and read the Wheels-Alive Road Test elsewhere on our website, covering the Suzuki Swift 1.3 DDiS, which we rated as an excellent, fun to drive and creditably economical state-of-the-art supermini (for more information on the vehicle itself, please have a look at our Road Test, by clicking … [Read more...]
Volvo V40
Tom Scanlan selects three from Volvo’s V40 range Volvo’s record as leaders in the field of safety continues with its V40 cars. The V40 indicates how the Swedish company’s designs are heading, whilst continuing with ever-evolving technologies aimed at making driving safer not only for the driver and passengers, but for pedestrians as well...hence the airbag system that will cushion the impact … [Read more...]
Nissan Note
New Notes from Nissan Tom Scanlan compares two brand-new models... Nissan’s new Note is altogether more purposeful-looking and loaded with new features. Two engines are on offer: the 1.2-litre 3-cylinder petrol and 1.5-litre diesel. The diesel comes at a £2000 premium, so which do you go for? First of all work out how you’re going to use the car. Will it be mainly short trips, or will you be … [Read more...]
Audi Q3
Tom Scanlan tries a range of Audi’s popular Q3 SUV, including the very latest, and very fast, RS Q3 The two particular Q3 versions I tried made for an interesting comparison. The first was the more powerful of two 2.0-litre TDIs on sale, with a seven-speed auto gearbox as standard. The diesel engine has 177 PS and performs typically of such diesels; that’s to say, it’s pretty refined, smooth and … [Read more...]
Mazda6 Tourer
Tom Scanlan's 500 miles in Mazda's estate car impressed him... At £24,115, the test car – a 2.2D SE-L Nav 2WD – offered a lot of car for the money, not that nearly £25K isn’t a sizeable chunk in anyone’s book. Mazda’s ‘Skyactive’ technology, involving carefully designed engine mechanicals combined with digital technology and the use of light weight but super-strong construction, produces a … [Read more...]
Suzuki Swift 1.3 DDiS
GENUINELY INEXPENSIVE TO RUN? These days, cars offering true economy of operation are much in demand, so how does Suzuki’s diesel-powered Swift ‘supermini’ shape up? Kim Henson evaluates the model over 1,100 miles. The first Suzuki that I had the pleasure of driving was a three cylinder Alto, way back in the summer of 1981. This compact five door hatchback impressed with its clever design, … [Read more...]
Mercedes-Benz CLS 250 CDi Blue Efficiency Shooting Brake
The Shooting Brake – originally a car that carried shooting parties -– is Mercedes’ name for their eye-catchingly sleek CLS estate car. It’s expensive, but great to drive and impressively frugal. I drove the 250 CDI Blue Efficiency version almost 1500 miles. Quite a fair amount of this was on motorways in the UK, France and Belgium and along German Autobahns. That meant much time was spent at … [Read more...]
Beaulieu International Autojumble 2013
A great atmosphere, amidst classic parts and cars galore, by Kim Henson Held on 7th and 8th September, this year’s Beaulieu International Autojumble, sponsored by ‘Practical Classics’ magazine, attracted a sell-out in terms of fascinating stalls, and some 37,553 visitors flocked to see the classic components and vehicles on offer. The weather was ‘sunshine and showers’, but the rain, when … [Read more...]
Audi RS4 Avant
by Tom Scanlan What is the point in a car like this, with a potential of 174 mph? I put that very question to the car’s design chief in Germany. His answer would never convince the green lobby, but he made the point at the end that, although this car would not save the world neither would it harm it. It is indeed a clever, if not superlative, piece of engineering. Under the bonnet is the … [Read more...]
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