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...]
First Impressions
Our brief encounters with new models on the U.K. market
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
Mitsubishi Outlander
Kim Henson samples the latest SUV from Mitsubishi… Since 2001, Mitsubishi has sold 950,000 Outlanders around the world, and the version introduced in Britain in 2007 has proved to be a popular machine with buyers here. I drove this model at its launch, and I was impressed then by its road manners, practicality and overall competence. Six years down the line, and Mitsubishi has upped the game … [Read more...]
VW Golf
First impressions of the seventh generation of Volkswagen's trusted family favourite. Kim Henson drives three of the new models, and samples an ahead-of-its-time Mark III version from 1994… Please click on the images below to read about each version test-driven: If you were around in 1974, I expect you will have changed a bit – but most likely you’re still much the same at … [Read more...]
Vauxhall Mokka (and model ’round up’)
Kim Henson is your guide to a selection of the latest Vauxhall models... The new Vauxhall Mokka Vauxhall’s recently-introduced and distinctively-styled Mokka is part of the company’s continuing revolution in its model line-up, and represents its first steps into the increasingly popular compact SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle) market. So the new car will be fighting for sales against the likes … [Read more...]
VW Golf S 1.6 TDI 105 PS
My first test drive of a new Golf model was in the five door S 1.6 litre TDI (105 PS) version. The car felt well-made and was comfortable, with a supple ride quality and plenty of room in the passenger compartment (in both the front and rear). Boot space was impressive too. It also felt safe and stable on twisty roads. While this variant is not intended to be a roadburner, performance is … [Read more...]
VW Golf SE 1.4 TSI 122 PS
My next outing was in a higher-specification SE variant, in this case powered by VW’s 1.4 litre turbocharged TSI engine, producing 122 PS and driving through a six speed gearbox. The engine is especially smooth-running and quiet, helping to give the car a very refined feel. It also pulls very strongly and without fuss from low engine speeds; indeed the torque available from the 1.4 litre … [Read more...]
VW Golf GT 1.4 TSI ACT 140 PS
The third of the trio of new Golfs I sampled was a GT variant, with the 1.4 litre TSI petrol engine. This was especially interesting in technical terms as it was equipped with VW’s ‘Active Cylinder Technology’ (ACT) system. As explained in my introductory text, this is designed to shut down the central two cylinders of the four, to save fuel when the car is running under light load … [Read more...]
1994 VW Golf III Ecomatic 1.9 Diesel
Such is the rate of change in terms of technologies built into the latest cars, that I feel often it is useful to drive an older model to appreciate just how much things have altered. In any case, as friends and colleagues will testify, I need little excuse to drive any part of automotive history! To me, a car built in 1994 is not very old, but in fact nearly 20 years is quite a long time in … [Read more...]
Seat Exeo Sport Tech
by Kim Henson It is now over a quarter of a century since the Spanish manufacturer Seat introduced its first Ibiza model to British buyers, and during that time the company has gone from strength to strength… In the UK the firm has just enjoyed its best ever month for sales, achieving a market share of 1.98 per cent, and its dealership network is growing. It has also just been announced … [Read more...]
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