Is the latest C4 Cactus a prickly proposition, or is it ‘softly softly’? Kim Henson finds out, during a week of test-driving… The current line-up of Citroën C4 Cactus models – all five door hatchbacks with a hint of SUV looks – arrived in Britain earlier this year, with price tags considerably higher than those of their predecessors (and now starting at £18,505 – previously from just under … [Read more...]
Revamped Skoda Fabia – First Impressions
Probable ‘piece of cake’ sales success for the revised Skoda Fabia. David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) reports… To coincide with the launch of the revised Fabia range of ‘supermini’ sector five door Hatch and Estates, Skoda UK has commissioned professional baker and 2016 Great British Bake Off winner, Candice Brown, to produce a small-scale version of the iconic Fabia cake which starred in … [Read more...]
Latest Ford Fiesta ST – Road Test
Third generation Ford Fiesta ST… …the benchmark hot hatch tested by David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). …Plus a ‘sneaky peek’ at the competitor new VW Polo GTi… The Ford Fiesta range of three and five door hatchbacks, plus their recently introduced additional Active SUV inspired versions, are still the UK’s best-selling cars, not just supermini sized cars but cars overall. Flagship model … [Read more...]
Latest Suzuki Swift Sport – Road Test
FUN ON FOUR WHEELS... The first two generations of Suzuki’s Swift Sport supermini were well-received by the motoring press and buyers… but the latest version is even better! Kim Henson test-drives the new Swift Sport… Suzuki’s original Swift Sport made its U.K. debut in 2006, with second generation models arriving in 2012, and the car has always been a serious contender in the sporting … [Read more...]
The taller and wider Ford Fiesta Active – Road Test
Going up in the world – The Ford Fiesta Active. Tried and tested by David Miles (Miles Better News Agency)… There is a global love affair with SUVs, 4x4s, off-roaders and crossovers, call them what you will and they come in all sizes and capabilities and at hugely varying costs. But the demand has been so great that it has even spawned SUV styling to be added to affordable hatchbacks and … [Read more...]
New MG3 – First Impressions
Chris Adamson assesses the latest version… (Words and all photos by Chris, with the exception of images of the yellow car – courtesy of MG). It’s billed as the ‘New MG3’ but even MG admit that their latest five-door hatchback is in reality a mid-life make-over – one that it desperately needed. Out has gone the thin pinched appearance of previous generations of recent MGs (see the MG6 and … [Read more...]
Peugeot 308 GT Line Blue HDi 130 – Road Test
Peugeot 308 GT Line BlueHDI 130 automatic… …assessed by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). The Peugeot 308 has been European Car of the Year and is very much up to date now after a comprehensive reworking and new Euro 6.2 rated engines. The Peugeot 308 succeeded the 307 in September 2007 with the first generation running until 2013, then voted CoY in 2014 with the second … [Read more...]
The Ultimate Astra – Road Test
Vauxhall Astra gains new engines and high Ultimate spec. level… David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) reports. It’s onwards and upwards in the constantly fast changing motoring world. Take the Vauxhall/Opel brand as an example. Now owned by the French PSA Group it has joined their brand line-up of Peugeot, Citroën and DS. Keeping their popular Astra mid-sized family car range future proof, … [Read more...]
Citroën C3 Flair (1.2 PureTech) – Road Test
Starting off in the right way with the Citroën C3. David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) explains… Citroën’s best selling model range, the C3 five door ‘supermini’ sized hatchback line-up, has been awarded the title of ‘Driving Instructor Car of the Year’ in the 2018 FirstCar Awards. FirstCar is the dedicated resource for learner and newly qualified drivers in the UK. FirstCar says as well … [Read more...]
Latest Lexus CT200H Hybrid – Road Test
Lexus CT200H petrol/electric hybrid for 2018. Test-driven by David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). The Lexus CT200h is not exactly new, it’s in its sixth year of production but for a final throw of the dice it has some useful styling and equipment updates for the 2018 model year. The CT200h is the steppingstone model into the premium Lexus brand which celebrates its 30th anniversary next … [Read more...]
Flagship Vauxhall Insignia GSi BiTurbo Diesel – Road Test
Vauxhall’s new Insignia GSi performance flagship models arrive… … Assessed by David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). The new Vauxhall Insignia range of Grand Sport five door D-segment hatchbacks and Sports Tourer estate were launched last year and in March this year the flagship higher performance GSi versions in both body style arrived in UK showrooms. Prices start from £33,415 on-the-road … [Read more...]
Honda’s new Civic 1.6 Diesel – Road Test
British-built Honda Civic now available with diesel power… David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) gives his verdict. Honda’s first car to arrive in the UK in 1973 was a Japanese built Civic 1.2 litre petrol two door saloon (pictured below). Last year the tenth generation Civic, a lower medium sector five door hatchback, went on sale and it’s built in Britain at Swindon Plant and exported globally … [Read more...]
Latest Suzuki Swift Sport – First Impressions
Kim Henson samples the new Swift Sport… Suzuki’s eagerly-awaited new lightweight sports supermini goes on sale on 1st June with big savings for U.K. buyers during the first month… (All words and photographs by Kim Henson). News: Suzuki sales increasing… Before talking about the latest Swift Sport, it is interesting to take a brief look at how Suzuki is doing in the UK. In fact the firm is … [Read more...]
Renault Clio Dynamique S 110dCi – Road Test
Robin Roberts (Miles Better News Agency) test dries Renault’s Clio, powered by their 1.5 litre diesel engine… The Renault Clio was launched before the worldwide web became a part of everyday life and after 27 years it’s what is now considered Edition 4.2. It’s been a part of the British motoring scene for over a generation, and it keeps reinventing itself. Successive advertising campaigns … [Read more...]
Fiat Panda 4×4 1.3 – Road Test
Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency) assesses Fiat’s compact 4x4… Italian singers are often short in stature but big in heart and voice, just like the Fiat Panda 4x4. The cheeky all-wheel-drive car is part of a compact 12-model range sharing a five door body. It provides a choice of 900cc or 1.2 litre petrol engines along with a 1.3 diesel, in five trim levels and even offers a … [Read more...]
Vauxhall Corsa – Driving Impressions (after 25 years!)
The Corsa generation – 25 years young. By Robin Roberts (Miles Better News Agency). It maybe from another era but the truth is the Vauxhall Corsa is even more relevant today than when it first appeared 25 years ago. Born in the Britpop, Walkman and shell-suits age to the sounds of The Spice Girls, it has outlived them and is still Vauxhall’s best-seller. What’s more it consistently lurks … [Read more...]
Hyundai i30N hot hatch – Road Test
The new Hyundai i30N rally-bred fast hatchback… Assessed on the road by Robin Roberts (Miles Better News Agency). Some car-makers shout about their performance models which can quietly disappoint, yet Hyundai play it the other way with the i30N and have a normal looking five door mid-sized hatchback model which excites every time you take the wheel. The Korean brand has electrified the World … [Read more...]
Latest Citroën C4 Cactus – First Impressions
Revised Citroën C4 Cactus – softer looks, softer ride, harder prices! By David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). Arriving in April and able to carry a new 18 registration plate is the revised Citroën C4 Cactus range of mid-sized five door hatchbacks with petrol and diesel engine options, priced from £17,265 to £20,895. The previous generation range had a starter price of £13,770 but the increase … [Read more...]
Kia Stinger 2.0 – Brief Impressions
Kieron Fennelly assesses the 2.0 litre version of Kia's Stinger... (Photograph and all words by Kieron). A company whose attractive styling usually masks conservative engineering, Kia, hitherto known for its mass market offerings surprised most observers in 2017 with its Stinger, its first foray into the premium car market. Although not averse to an element of adventurousness in its marketing, … [Read more...]
Vauxhall Adam Rocks Unlimited – Road Test
The Vauxhall Adam Rocks Unlimited can be a reflection of your personality… ...says Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). A car says a lot about its owner, so it is an expression which can be applied to nearly everyone, and that’s really true about customers choosing from the Vauxhall Adam Rocks Unlimited range of compact three door city cars with ‘Crossover’ styling cues. After the … [Read more...]