New Civic 1.5T Sport Plus – the last British built Honda model range… …Test-driven by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). The Honda Civic currently made in Britain has been a cornerstone of the Japanese company, but times are changing. Honda will be exiting their Swindon factory in 2021 after 36 years as the company realigns its manufacturing and concentrates on fuller utilisation … [Read more...]
Vauxhall Astra Mk 7 1.2 petrol – First Impressions
Kieron Fennelly drives, and gives his views on, the latest Astra, in 1.2 litre petrol form… In 2019 Vauxhall/Opel’s Astra celebrated its 40th birthday (and Kim adds that he was at the UK launch of the Opel version, at Donington Park in the autumn of 1979, and remembers just how much the attending motoring writers were impressed with the new model). Many readers might recall the original Mk 1 … [Read more...]
New Vauxhall Astra – Road Test
NOW BEING DELIVERED TO UK CUSTOMERS – THE LATEST VAUXHALL ASTRA. David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) test-drives the new model and gives his opinion… The revised British-built Vauxhall Astra started to arrive in our domestic market showrooms in November, good news for the 25% of British motorists who have either owned or driven one since the Mark 1 made its appearance in 1979. Since then, … [Read more...]
Honda Civic Type R GT – Road Test
Just how good is Honda’s current Civic Type R? Kim Henson test drives the top line GT version, to find out. (All words and photographs by Kim). In the late summer of 2001 Honda introduced their original, first generation performance-orientated Civic Type R, and I was fortunate enough to be invited to the launch event for UK motoring writers, held on the Isle of Man. Unfortunately the weather … [Read more...]
Nissan Micra IG-T100 – Road Test
IT’S A PERKY BLINDER – THE LATEST NISSAN MICRA IG-T100 HATCHBACK… …explains David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). The 100 hp turbo petrol engine is perky in performance and the design of the five-door supermini sized hatchback body is blindingly more eye-catching than the previous four generations of Micra which have been served up since 1983. Most recently Nissan has further revised some … [Read more...]
Honda Civic 1.5 VTEC Turbo Sport Plus – Road Test
Honda’s well-respected Civic line-up has been winning friends for decades. Kim Henson test-drives a current model, in 1.5 litre VTEC turbocharged ‘Sport Plus’ guise… (All words and photographs by Kim). The overall competence of Honda’s Civic models, in each of their generations, shines through when you talk to owners past and present, and, importantly, in conversations with sources in the … [Read more...]
Toyota Prius Business Edition AWD – First impressions
Chris Adamson gives his verdict on this latest hybrid Toyota … (Photos – Toyota GB) Hybrid pioneers Toyota started the drive towards self-charging multi-power cars with their leading edge Prius. Now, over 20 years later, everyone seems to have a hybrid or full electric model on their fleet but Prius is still the one they have to be matched against. While they have been developing hydrogen … [Read more...]
Skoda Scala Diesel – Road Test
SKODA SCALA DIESEL - THE FUEL FRUGAL MODEL… …tried and tested by David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). The all-new Skoda Scala, a C-segment five-door hatchback, is in effect the replacement for their Rapid range and sits between the Volkswagen Group’s Czech brand Fabia supermini and larger C/D segment high selling Octavia model ranges. Currently prices range from £16,595 to £23,315 and the … [Read more...]
Latest Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport – Road Test
By David Miles (Miles Better News Agency), who writes… …MY REFRESHING DRIVE WITH THE 2019.5 MODEL YEAR VAUXHALL INSIGNIA GRAND SPORT. Although I tend to review new or at least recently refreshed cars, just occasionally it is time to relook at a longer serving model which still continues to pull-in awards, mainly due to the space it offers, its extensive range of models and its competitive … [Read more...]
Mazda3 2.0 Sport – Road Test
New Mazda3 2.0 122 hp Sport Lux five door hatchback could light up your life… By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). A lot is being pinned on the all-new Mazda3 hatchback, and deservedly so. Launched in the UK in spring 2019, it is competing in a tough sector of family and company cars but it’s about to get a big boost this autumn. The new Mazda3 hatchbacks initially came with … [Read more...]
Skoda Scala – Road Test
The new Skoda Scala SE 115 hp 1.0 litre petrol, manual – more than Rapid… By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). The Skoda Rapid might be a hard act to follow, but the Scala five-door hatchback launched this summer has really overtaken it already. Within weeks of its launch the Skoda Scala started winning awards for its family-friendly practicality and praise for its styling around … [Read more...]
Kia Picanto 1.0 T-GDi GT-Line S – Road Test
Stands out from the crowd – the Kia Picanto 1.0 T-GDi GT-Line S… …tested by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). The Kia Picanto city sized 1.0 T-GDI GT-Line S is a rarity, and it’s all the better for that. In a market dominated by so many look-alike, take-it-or-leave-it cars, the Picanto 5-door city car not only visually stands out but leaves others standing in the Formula Fun … [Read more...]
Suzuki Swift Attitude, Swift 4×4 hybrid and a Suzuki-powered RIB – First Impressions
Suzuki Swift Attitude, Swift 4x4 hybrid and a Suzuki-powered RIB – First Impressions. ‘A Swift Day Out’… Suzuki’s latest Swifts, in ‘Attitude’ and SZ5 4x4 hybrid form – plus the firm’s marine engines – assessed by Kim Henson. ‘A Swift Day Out’ is how Suzuki heralded a driving day for motoring writers to sample their Swift Attitude on road, the Swift 4x4 hybrid in off-road conditions, and the … [Read more...]
Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport – Road Test
Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport Elite Nav 200 hp... Test-driven by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). When size matters, the Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport hatchback has big appeal. The market for large hatchbacks and saloons is supposed to be shrinking as ubiquitous SUVs take over, but why be like everyone else when you can be different and look the part? This large hatchback offers … [Read more...]
Honda Civic 1.0 VTEC Turbo EX – Road Test
LAST POST SOUNDS FOR THE BRITISH BUILT HONDA CIVIC HATCHBACK. David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) reports… When the 10th generation Honda Civic hatchback was introduced in 2017 Honda proclaimed in their presentation material that, “The all-new Civic Hatchback is to be built in Europe and exported globally, Honda’s UK plant in Swindon continues key role in Civic production, €270m investment in … [Read more...]
Audi A1 Sportback – Road Test
Audi A1 Sportback 30 TFSI S line supermini hatchback. By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Audi’s experience in the premium sector also extends to its supermini sized A1. The A1 was first shown in 2010 as a 3-door, the 5-door Sportback came 12 months later and arrived in Britain in 2012, and it’s a successor to the Audi A2. Today, Audi’s entry level model comes in a … [Read more...]
Mercedes-Benz A-Class – Road Test
LATEST MERCEDES-BENZ A-CLASS – BRITS BUY THEM MOST… David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) puts one of the current models through its paces. The UK is the largest global market for the Mercedes-Benz A-Class range of five door hatchbacks and four door saloons. Over 340,000 have been sold since the first generation arrived in the UK in 1997. Last year a record 43,527 of them were sold in the … [Read more...]
Peugeot 508 Allure – Road Test
Peugeot 508 Allure 1.5 BlueHDi 130hp, manual, hatchback If style alone sold cars, the new Peugeot 508 coupé styled large five door hatchback would be soaring success. Robin Roberts (Miles Better News Agency) gives his assessment… In an age when we are told SUVs and Crossovers are the golden ticket in the lottery of life, the new 508 makes you think again and realise there is still room for a … [Read more...]
New MG3 – Road Test
The latest MG3... ...Tried and tested by Chris Adamson. If you are in the market for a sophisticated, sporting and aspirational modern hatchback then here is a recommendation – don’t even start considering the new MG3. However, if you want a budget priced, economical to run and spacious five-door then the new Chinese built MG3 could be just the answer. Wrapped-up in an acceptable if not … [Read more...]
Latest Ford Focus – Road Test
New Ford Focus now tried and tested in the UK… David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) gives his assessment. The latest generation Ford Focus was initially revealed to the motoring media in France in June this year, but it wasn’t until September that models arrived in UK showrooms. Now full UK sales are underway as the latest generation Focus five door hatchback and estate models aims to maintain … [Read more...]