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...]
Contributors
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...]
Mazda5
Kim Henson reports... Surveying the variety of people carriers, or ‘multi-purpose vehicles’ (MPVs) offered by today’s mainstream motor manufacturers, you could be forgiven for thinking that in some cases styling has not been a major consideration in their development. While these vehicles may be effective for the job that they have to do, they are hardly eye-catching, and often lack the ‘wow’ … [Read more...]
Flexible Hoses – Check them
Flexible hoses are essential to the operation of hydraulic clutch and brake systems on cars both old and new. However, as they age, problems can arise. Even if you are not technically minded, it’s a good idea – and very easy – to visually inspect the hoses at least once a year, for signs of splitting, crazing, bulging and other obvious external damage. Bending the hose through a tight angle, by … [Read more...]
Citroën DS5 Hybrid 200 DSport
Tom Scanlan tries Citroën’s range-topping diesel-electric executive express... In its white pearlescent paint, with polished metal blade-like embellishments, this big Citroën certainly cuts a dash. Then you get inside and it’s ‘Blimey! I need a Private Pilot’s Licence to operate this thing!’ There are so many controls, switches, knobs, levers and buttons around and above you that the proper … [Read more...]
Finding Future Classics
When do the first indications appear that a car is turning into a classic and its value could start rising? The only real answer is eventually - maybe... but there are certain clues that, intelligently interpreted, can point thoughtful buyers in the right direction. Much depends here on your definition of a "classic," for many regard any car of a certain age in that light; others might give more … [Read more...]
The Most Expensive and the Cheapest VW Golfs!
Tom Scanlan tries Golf R Cabriolet 2.0 TSI and the Golf S 1.2 TSI 3-door... Golf R Cabriolet £38,770 for a Golf? Really! Alright, it is a cabriolet, it has a mighty 265 PS 2-litre TSI engine and all sorts of smart equipment – except electric seats. What’s it like then? Well, it sure goes, of course; it’s the fastest-ever production open Golf. The car has VW’s 6-speed DSG automatic … [Read more...]
Honda Civic 1.6 i-DTEC EX Manual
Honda has put on sale its latest 1.6-litre 120PS Diesel engine in the popular Civic range. As seems to be customary, the technology in this engine has been given a name: ‘Earth Dreams’. Broadly speaking, it hints at eco-friendliness, through efficiency in frugal fuel consumption and low emission pollution, but without reducing accelerative performance (0-62 mph in 10.5 seconds). The range … [Read more...]
Ford Fiesta ST
Kim Henson takes to the wheel of a ‘future classic’ Ford. Yes, I know that it isn’t usual to write the ‘conclusions’ at the start of an article, but on this occasion I’m going to stick my neck out and say, unequivocally, that the new Ford Fiesta ST is set to become an iconic ‘classic’ Ford, even in its own time, and with the car just having been launched! So what’s so compelling about this … [Read more...]
Electric vehicle land speed record
At a time when attention to Land Speed Records is rightly being concentrated on the Bloodhound SSC project, attempting to lift the World Record to over 1,000 mph, it is interesting that, for the first time in nearly 40 years, a fresh and successful attempt has been made at the ‘World Electric Land Speed Record’ for lightweight electrically-powered vehicles. Under rules laid down by the FIA … [Read more...]
Audi A3 Sportback SE
Chris Adamson samples the latest five door version of Audi's A3 In one of those odd twists in the global motor industry, more than six months after it launched the new A3, Audi is only now just introducing the body-style that is going to be its best seller. Having tested the water with the A3 three-door, Audi adds the Sportback, its five-door stable-mate which will eventually out-sell it three … [Read more...]
Skoda Octavia vRS
Skoda has announced the world debut, at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on 19th July 2013, of the new, third generation Octavia vRS. The new model is offered in saloon and estate form, and with a choice of two new engines, a 220 PS, 2.0 litre petrol motor, or a 184 PS, 2.0 litre diesel unit. These provide enhanced performance but at the same time give savings in exhaust emissions and fuel … [Read more...]
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