Kim Henson finds out about Suzuki’s progress, and drives some of its current vehicles… (Note from Kim: You may also be interested in finding out what Wheels-Alive contributor David Miles has written about Suzuki in general and the new Swift 4x4 in particular. David is well known and respected for his insightful analysis of the motoring industry and the models produced by it; please click … [Read more...]
First Impressions
Our brief encounters with new models on the U.K. market
Jaguar F-Type Convertible First Impressions
Jaguar F-Type Convertible – Transport of Delight? Written and photographed by Chris Adamson Ever since the demise of the iconic E-Type almost half a century ago, Jaguar has been attempting to recreate the sporting aura that gave a fresh and original injection of energy into the famous, quintessentially, British brand. With the rear-wheel drive Ian Callum penned F-type (the name is a big … [Read more...]
Kia’s new Sportage First Impressions – an alternative view
Has Kia succeeded in house-training the SUV? Dave Randle gives his own individualistic and inimitable view of SUVs in general and Kia’s new Sportage in particular… Time was, and not too long ago, that four-by-fours and so-called Sports Utility Vehicles were rather uncouth affairs. They mainly found favour with those who believed other motorists were out to get them, so, as well as being built … [Read more...]
Infiniti Q30 First Impressions
New British-built Infiniti Q30 five door premium hatchback is now on sale... By David Miles (Miles Batter News Agency) Infiniti, the premium brand from Nissan, has launched their all-new UK built Infiniti Q30 C-segment five door hatchback and it’s thoroughly British. Not only is it the first Infiniti ever to be built in Europe, it was created at the Nissan-Infiniti Paddington design facility, … [Read more...]
Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine Plug-in SUV First Impressions
Should we get connected with the new Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine Plug-in large SUV? asks David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) With SUV sales in Europe accelerating to the top selling market segment in Europe last year and a 21.5% increase in the UK, where it is the third largest sector, the arrival of the new Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine plug-in petrol electric hybrid is timely. Sales of PHEVs in … [Read more...]
New Kia Sportage First Impressions
First drive of Kia's new Sportage, by Keith Ward THE Sportage sold in record numbers here of around 23,000 in 2015. That has not stopped Kia kicking off 2016 with an all-new fourth generation version of what is easily its best-selling model, and declaring a target for it of 25,000 UK sales in the next 12 months. An 18-strong range is priced between £17,995 and £31,495, so starting £495 dearer … [Read more...]
New MINI Hatch John Cooper Works – The Most Powerful MINI Ever – First Impressions
By David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) Hot MINI UK Sales News With another record year of sales behind them in 2015, MINI is well placed with the introduction of their third generation range of models to continue their record breaking sales record. Last year MINI achieved 63,581 UK new car registrations, an 18.5% increase over the previous year and the sixth consecutive year of … [Read more...]
BMW X5 xDrive 40e First Impressions
New BMW X5 xDrive 40e joins the UK's fast-growing plug-in hybrid market. By David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). With a record year of UK sales behind them in 2015, when they replaced Audi as the best selling premium brand, and their centenary in front of them in 2016, BMW look fully charged to have a good year. First of their new models to be handed to the UK’s motoring media at the … [Read more...]
Citroën C4 Cactus – First Impressions
Chris Adamson is your guide… The Oxford English dictionary defines cactus as: ‘a succulent plant with a thick fleshy stem which typically bears spines, lacks leaves and has brilliantly coloured flowers’. Not the most inspiring definition if you want to relate it to a car but I suppose you could reference the prickly nature of the plant to the response that some people seem to have on … [Read more...]
Range Rover Evoque (2016 model year) First Impressions
2016 MODEL YEAR RANGE ROVER EVOQUE FIRST DRIVE by David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) The Range Rover Evoque for 2016 gets a mid-life refresh, but most importantly those updates include the use for the first time of Jaguar Land Rover’s own 2.0-litre Ingenium turbodiesel engines, which replace the previous Ford manufactured 2.2-litre units. First launched to great acclaim in 2011, the … [Read more...]
Subaru Levorg ST GT First Impressions
Our man at the wheel is Robin Roberts… It has been a long time coming but at last the Subaru Levorg is now on sale. The natural successor to the popular Legacy Tourer is more compact outside but bigger inside. The car comes to the UK in a single GT trim level, with continuously variable belt drive automatic transmission and a new direct injection turbo-petrol “boxer” 1.6 litre engine – which … [Read more...]
Jaguar XJ First Impressions – plus the latest product news from Jaguar Land Rover
JAGUAR AND LAND ROVER ROLL OUT THEIR 2016 MODELS David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) reports, and takes to the wheel of the revised 2016 model year Jaguar XJ Saloon… First, Jaguar Land Rover ('JLR') activities It is that time of year when 2016 models are rolled out by most manufacturers eager for the publicity to get customers placing orders for their latest updated products. High … [Read more...]
DS 4 First Impressions
THE NEW DS 4, ONE MODEL WITH TWO BODY STYLE OPTIONS First drive by David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) DS, the standalone premium brand under the parentage of Citroën, is introducing their latest DS 4 range in November 2015 with two distinct and stylish five door body styles, the DS 4 Hatchback and the DS Crossback; all are front wheel drive. The latter version in terms of styling and a 30mm … [Read more...]
Testing Times – Brief Impressions from the SMMT Test Day South 2015
BRIEF FIRST IMPRESSIONS – CARS DRIVEN AT THE SOCIETY OF MOTOR MANUFACTURERS AND TRADERS’ 2015 TEST DAY SOUTH Kim Henson was there… The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) hosts an annual driving day specifically for motoring writers from the southern part of Britain. Without exception I find this a very useful occasion for driving a variety of vehicles from different … [Read more...]
Fiat 500X First Impressions
Kim Henson test-drives Fiat’s new ‘crossover’ model in deepest Wiltshire… Through automotive history Fiat has rightly been highly praised for its expertise and flair in producing highly effective ‘compact’ vehicles, and the huge popularity of the ‘new’ 500 (in fact introduced eight years ago now) is testament to this. To give some idea of the public’s love for this car, U.K. sales in 2008 were … [Read more...]
Suzuki Celerio First Impressions
Kim Henson takes to the wheel of Suzuki’s diminutive but internally spacious city car; he's impressed by the whole package, particularly the Celerio’s three cylinder Dualjet engine… but is he (at last) lost for words? SUZUKI’S SUCCESS STORY Before describing the Celerio, it is worth briefly mentioning the success story of its manufacturer. In recent times Suzuki has been doing … [Read more...]
Kias Galore – Model Round-up – First Impressions
Kim Henson drives a selection of Kias, and is enthusiastic about the cars, also the company’s dynamic approach as it looks ahead. Justifiably, Kia’s reputation has been growing, with increasing respect being gained among potential purchasers for the firm’s model line-up, the boldness of its adventurous designs, and the leading edge technology incorporated into its vehicles. Within just the … [Read more...]
Suzuki Vitara First Impressions
Kim Henson assesses the latest Vitaras from Suzuki... The UK launch of the first Suzuki Vitara took place in the autumn of 1988, and it could justifiably be said that the Vitara was the original compact ‘Sport Utility Vehicle’ (SUV). (In fact the early models have now attained something approaching cult status, and are highly valued by enthusiasts today). However, in fact the origins of the … [Read more...]
Seat Leon X-PERIENCE First Impressions
Kim Henson tries Seat’s new ‘soft roader’, on tarmac and in the forest… The Seat company was established in 1950 (in a partnership which included the Italian firm of Fiat) and produced its first model – the rear wheel drive 1400 saloon – from late 1953, at it’s Zona Franca base in Barcelona. Initially that vehicle was built primarily for chauffeur duties for Spanish government … [Read more...]
Audi TT Roadster and TTS Coupé First Impressions
Kim Henson drives Audi’s suave TT models… Audi’s line-up goes from strength to strength, and joining the range in the spring of 2015 were a new, third generation two seater TT Roadster (complementing the TT Coupé) plus a powerful TTS Coupé – representing the second generation of this model, priced from £31,955 to £37,555 (‘On The ‘Road’); in each case the prices are £2,185 more than … [Read more...]
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