Volkswagen has announced its first fully electric production vehicle, the four seater ‘e-up!’. The e-up! Will be powered by an 82PS motor, which will enable the car to reach 62 mph from rest within 14 seconds, and it is said that it will have a range between charges of 150 km (about 100 miles). Its battery can be recharged to up to 80 per cent of its storage capacity with half an hour. The … [Read more...]
Contributors
Honda Jazz – Don’t you just love it?
In a recent survey (of 40,000 drivers with 47,000 cars), carried out by consumer organisation ‘Which?’, the first generation Honda Jazz has been rated as Britain’s most satisfying supermini to own. The externally diminutive but internally spacious and versatile Jazz notched up a score of 91 per cent overall, being rated as a ‘reliable, practical and cheap to run’ car, and saying that it was a … [Read more...]
Hyundai Fuel Cell Vehicle Production Line
Hyundai has become the world’s first car manufacturer to begin assembly line production of zero-emissions, hydrogen powered cars (for fleet use). The historic ix35 models emerging from the line each incorporate a fuel cell powered by hydrogen. The hydrogen is converted by a fuel stack into electricity, which powers an electric motor to propel the vehicle. Emissions? Just water! This … [Read more...]
Land Rover Freelander 2
by Chris Adamson Land Rover has given the Freelander 2, the second best selling model in its range after Evoque, what is describes as a premium overhaul – but, at first, you are going to find it difficult to tell the new from the old. Most of the effort has gone into sprucing up the cabin and taking away some of the clutter, so the first thing you notice is a brand new centre console on the … [Read more...]
Jaguar XF Sportbrake
Chris Adamson reports... Since the demise of the X Type Estate, Jaguar has been deficient in terms of a large load carrier, something they have now rectified with the arrival of the exciting new five-door version of the XF saloon. Because this is Jaguar and it has heritage to call on, they badge their elegant XF estate as the Sportbrake and just as the name suggests it oozes style by the … [Read more...]
New Mazda6
by Chris Adamson In the highly competitive executive saloon market Mazda has traditionally fitted between the prestige and mainstream brands – but with its new Mazda6 it manages to encompass both. The new third generation Mazda6 has the functionality and practical features of a Ford Mondeo alongside the technology, specification and style normally associated with a BMW 3 Series. And on top … [Read more...]
Help your engine survive
“Looking after the oil in your engine is the single most important step you can take to ensure trouble-free running and long-term survival of the motor”. It is true that the operating clearances within modern engines are closer than in days gone by, so in theory they should use less oil. However, it is also true that oil sump capacities in recent cars are smaller than in their predecessors, and … [Read more...]
Keep it clean (Washing your car)
When a car is washed (usually infrequently), many people use the minimum possible amount of water, and some start by scrubbing thick mud from the lower parts of the vehicle. This results in the sponge or cloth becoming impregnated with grit, which can then be spread around the rest of the vehicle, including the glass. While there is no need to use a hose (and the large quantities of water that … [Read more...]
Fuel’s Gold?
It is no surprise to hard-pressed motorists that real difficulties are being caused to both private motorists and businesses, due to the current extreme and artificially high prices of fuel. According to a poll carried out recently by FairFuel UK (which is campaigning for more affordable petrol and diesel prices in Britain), the impact of current fuel prices is significantly adverse, across the … [Read more...]
Classic car tax concession
Way back in the 1990s, the government changed the road tax rules so that vehicles over 25 years old qualified for a zero rate of road fund licence (‘Vehicle Excise Duty’). This helped owners who, in general, covered relatively few miles in their older cars, and helped to encourage the preservation of ‘modern classics’. The exemption was sensibly applied on a ‘rolling’ basis, so that as vehicles … [Read more...]
Dacia Sandero and Duster
Cheap and Cheerful? Kim Henson tries two models from the Dacia line-up. Readers with long memories may remember the brief foray of Dacia into the UK market, back in the 1980s. At that time the cars sold here were inexpensive variants based on the Renault 12 of the 1970s. (Despite their low prices, they sold in low numbers here; for many buyers concerns about build quality, reliability and … [Read more...]
100 Years of Car Making at Oxford
Today BMW MINIs are produced at ‘Plant Oxford’, but vehicle production started there over 100 years ago, on 28th March 1913, when the first car built at the site, a Bullnose Morris Oxford, emerged. Oxford was home to the well-respected Morris company (started by William Morris) for many years. To date, nearly 11,700,000 cars have been produced at the Oxford site. In addition to the 2,250,000 … [Read more...]
Seat Leon (third generation)
Kim Henson samples the angular newcomer from Seat… Ever since 1998, Seat’s Leon (the company’s first ‘C’ sector model to be produced under Volkswagen ownership) has been liked and respected as a competent hatchback incorporating sporting characteristics, while retaining everyday practicality for family use. Britain is the largest export market for the Leon, and increasing … [Read more...]
Accessible Classics No. 1 – Austin A30/A35
(sub-titled ‘Enjoying Your Austin’) by Kim Henson This is a comprehensive, high quality 224 page all-colour hardback book, covering all aspects of model history, buying, looking after and having fun with your baby Austin. It also includes a section to inspire you if you have a rough example in need of work… It is available direct from the publishers, Classic Car Publishing Ltd, Evergreen … [Read more...]
Ford Kuga, Fiesta and B-Max
Three new Fords appraised by Tom Scanlan There may be a recession, but it doesn’t seem to stop the motor industry from churning out endless new models. Just look at Ford. In the last three months, they’ve given us the B-Max, the new Fiesta and now the Kuga. That’s a compact SUV, a small hatchback and a further 4-w-d SUV (SUVs have now taken over the traditional family car in terms of numbers … [Read more...]
Fiat Panda 4×4 and Trekking
Brief drives in two new compact Fiats... by Tom Scanlan To get straight to the point, what excellent little cars! The 4x4, while aimed primarily at anyone who wants a small car, will certainly suit anyone who also needs regularly to traverse difficult terrain. Panda’s Trekking is a 2-w-d car (front-wheel-drive) that has some of the body characteristics of the 4x4, but is not a regular … [Read more...]
Fancy a BMW?
Tom Scanlan dips into BMW’s current line-up and reckons there’s one for everyone... provided you’ve got at least £17,300. BMW’s cheapest car is the 114 (with a 1.6 engine) available from £17,300. Yes, you could go the HP or leasing route if funds are not readily at hand, but just over seventeen grand isn’t bad for a BMW. Oh, I forgot: I bet you couldn’t actually get one for so little. Why? The … [Read more...]
Nissan LEAF
Amidst much debate about the best way forward for electrically-powered cars, Kim Henson test drives a Nissan LEAF. HISTORY In recent times, increasingly high fuel prices, plus escalating concern over vehicle emissions, have helped to persuade motor manufacturers to revisit electric propulsion as a viable alternative to using the internal combustion engine. It may come as a surprise to some, … [Read more...]
Light bulbs
Have you ever struggled to change a time-expired bulb on a vehicle? Well, if ever there’s an area that drives me up the wall in terms of manufacturers not thinking straight, it’s in the lighting department. Now we all know that it is a legal requirement for the lamps on a vehicle to function as designed. In addition, a bulb that’s ‘died’ can be seriously dangerous. For example, a car with only … [Read more...]
Triumph Herald
Featuring a separate chassis, under-stated good looks, ultra-easy engine access for maintenance, and all-round independent suspension, Triumph’s Herald has much going for it as a user-friendly, attractive classic. Kim Henson elaborates… Arriving on the UK motoring scene in 1959, the Triumph Herald was a new compact, stylishly angular car from Standard-Triumph, and effectively replaced the … [Read more...]