Who says supercars have to be Italian? Certainly not Audi – who keep on improving their head-turning R8 Coupe. Author: Chris Adamson (who also photographed the blue car driven for this article). The second generation R8 is even more dynamic and go-getting than its predecessor, being faster, lighter and more responsive; it’s also laden to the rooftop with goodies. Visually the V10 example can … [Read more...]
First Impressions
Our brief encounters with new models on the U.K. market
New Range Rover Evoque Convertible – First Impressions
Topless Range Rover Evoque Springs into the UK Report by David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) It was only a matter of time that the path from workhorse 4x4 led to stylish must have SUVs and then to cheaper Crossovers, and now the latest move to a soft top SUV – the two door, four-seater Range Rover Evoque Convertible. Heralded by Land Rover as the World’s first luxury compact SUV … [Read more...]
MINI John Cooper Works First Impressions.
The fastest production MINI to date... Reviewed by Chris Adamson Alec Issigonis may have been the creator of the original Mini but it was the vision of performance specialist, the late and much missed John Cooper, that is really responsible for its iconic status. His inspiration continues today with new owners BMW retaining the John Cooper Works (JCW) tag-line for its range-topping, … [Read more...]
Latest Ford Focus RS First Impressions
Spring Into the Long-awaited Ford Focus RS (but note that there will be a £1,000 price increase due from 1st May)… Says David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) It has been a long time coming, indeed not too many years ago we were told by Ford’s senior management there would never be another Focus RS under their global One Ford policy – there just wasn’t the demand, so we only got ‘less hot’ … [Read more...]
New Ford Mustang – First Impressions
Must-Have a Mustang – Ford’s New Muscle Car Muscles-In to the UK... A new classic in its own time – driven by David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). Ford’s latest marketing strategy is ‘Un Learn’ as they try to remove our preconceptions of the brand and past products. It is therefore strange and inconsistent that they have been wheeling out nostalgia as a hook to catch owners wanting Ford’s … [Read more...]
Renault Kadjar 1.5 diesel First Impressions
Holding fast – Kadjar exemplifies Renault’s powers of recovery… Says Dave Randle. French national giant, Renault’s road hasn’t always been either straight or smooth. Yet somehow it has always managed to navigate the virages dangereux and the chaussées deformées of the industrial landscape with vision, flexibility and finesse. It was nationalised in the first place to keep it from going off … [Read more...]
Jeep New Renegade – Taster Drive/First Impressions
Keith Ward samples the new Jeep Renegade... LEADING the military-style charge by Jeep to its best ever sales in the UK and an industry-topping 176 per cent year-on-year increase in 2015 – from however modest a base* (see below) – is this plucky compact SUV. The Renegade, launched 12 months ago and dubbed 4x4 of the Year by a leading off-road magazine, accounted for more customers here than the … [Read more...]
Suzuki Really Motoring Again in 2016 – Plus Swift 1.2 Dualjet 4×4 First Impressions
David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) gives his assessment… (Note from Kim: In addition to David’s typically comprehensive and insightful coverage within this feature, you may also be interested to read my own thoughts on Suzuki’s current position, also my impressions of more Suzuki models; please click HERE). After consecutive years of record UK sales Suzuki suffered a blip in registrations in … [Read more...]
Suzuki’s ‘Way of Life’ and what this innovative, successful company is doing today, plus First Impressions of some of the firm’s latest models…
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...]
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...]
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