Suzuki’s first plug-in hybrid vehicle… driven and assessed by Kim Henson. (All words and photographs by, and copyright, Kim Henson). With four wheel drive, sophisticated plug-in hybrid technology (delivering rapid performance together with low emissions and impressive fuel consumption figures), Suzuki’s Across large SUV provides buyers in this market with a distinctive and fascinating … [Read more...]
Audi Q3 PHEV – Road Test
Audi’s Q3 S line TFSl e 45 Automatic mid-sized PHEV plug-in hybrid SUV… …Driven by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Audi has been one of the most successful desirable brands in modern times as it aims squarely at making the cars people want to buy like their Q3 mid-sized SUV – but in its petrol-electric plug-in hybrid form as tested here. Initially launched in 2011 with a … [Read more...]
Volvo XC60 T6 Recharge – Road Test
Kieron Fennelly test drives Volvo’s XC60 mid-size, all wheel drive plug-in hybrid SUV… In 2010, Ford sold its Volvo subsidiary to the Chinese auto maker Geely. A decade under the auspices of the blue oval constrained Volvo as much as it did Jaguar, but Ford’s disciplined product planning schedule did leave the Gothenburg firm with a positive legacy of new models. Under a Geely which has granted … [Read more...]
New Skoda Octavia PHEV – Road Test
Skoda Octavia iV PHEV, SE L plug-in hybrid Estate... ...tried and tested by By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Skoda really is on a charge with its award winning Octavia range. The most successful Skoda ever sold in Britain, with over 500,000 delivered in four generations, has picked up a clutch of awards, notably the latest for its family values as selected by an international … [Read more...]
Citroën C5 Aircross plug-in hybrid – Road Test
The new Citroën C5 Aircross 180 PHEV Auto test driven by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). The Citroën C5 Aircross has been a winner for the French marque from its 2017 launch and it’s about to take them into a new era. Within six months of going on sale, over 50,000 models had been delivered and its latest updates include a PHEV Plug-in Hybrid Electric version. That brings a … [Read more...]
Volvo V60 Recharge – Road Test (plus Volvo range electrification news)
VOLVO GOES ON EMBRACING ELECTRIFICATION FOR ITS MODELS + V60 RECHARGE ROAD TESTED. By David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). Volvo, part of the Chinese Geely industrial conglomerate, is now well known for their commitment to full electrification of all their models by 2025. They have recently confirmed they will develop and assemble their own electric motors at their powertrain plant in Skovde … [Read more...]
Latest Jeep Renegade PHEV – First Impressions
New Jeep Renegade 4xe news and first drive views… By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Jeep has turned a corner with its new PHEV plug-in hybrid electric Renegade. Without compromising its famous off-road abilities the Renegade 4xe adds emission lowering and power enhancing electric drive and it’s the first electrified Jeep to be sold in Britain. It uses the familiar … [Read more...]
Kia Niro PHEV – Road Test
KIA’S ONE OF THEIR THREE-OF-A-KIND – THE NEW NIRO PHEV PLUG-IN HYBRID. David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) is your guide... There is increasing pressure for UK MPs to ban all sales of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030 and potentially phase out sales of hybrid models by 2035. This pressure is from the Committee on Climate Change, the Government’s independent advisory body who want the … [Read more...]
Electric Renaults galore arriving here now (or very soon)…
RENAULT CONTINUES THEIR AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRIFICATION PATH... ...David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) tells all – and drives the new models Overview While other manufacturers have used the Hybrid and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) paths to full electric mobility, Renault took a different route 10 years ago with their first all-electric model the Twizy. The Twizy was an oddball tandem two seater city … [Read more...]
Latest Ford Kuga – PHEV Road Test and Range Review
NEW FORD KUGA RANGE INCLUDES A PLUG-IN HYBRID POWERTRAIN OPTION… David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) test drives this version and reviews the line-up. After the Coronavirus lockdown Ford in the UK is now in full delivery mode of their all-new third generation Kuga SUV 5-door range. That’s good timing as pent-up demand by UK customers saw overall new car sales increase by 11% in July but sadly … [Read more...]
Audi A7 Sportback Plug-in Hybrid – Road Test
NEW A7 SPORTBACK TFSI E QUATTRO LEADS THE AUDI PLUG-IN HYBRID PACK. By David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). The Audi A7 Sportback range of premium four door large coupé models gains a new PHEV plug-in hybrid TFSI e quattro variant to its line-up. This also heralds the arrival of the Q7 TFSI e quattro, A8 TFSI e quattro and A6 Saloon TFSI e quattro PHEV models plus the Q5 TFSI e quattro has … [Read more...]
Skoda Superb iV PHEV – Road Test
SKODA ADDS iV PHEV PLUG-IN HYBRID MODELS TO THEIR SUPERB RANGE... ...David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) puts the newcomer through its paces. (Photographs by Skoda and David). Skoda’s hugely popular and award winning Superb range of large Hatch and Estate models has received a further boost to their range with the addition of petrol-electric PHEV models. The global car industry is … [Read more...]
Hyundai Ioniq PHEV (2020 model) – Road Test
The more you drive, the more energy you save with the latest Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid, says Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales)… It sounds illogical but it’s true because the familiar standard 1.6 litre petrol engine is now joined by a more sophisticated electric motor and battery system which recovers energy lost during braking. This recovered energy when transformed and pushed into … [Read more...]
Latest Raft of BMW Plug-in Hybrids – First Impressions
BMW NOW WITH MORE VARIETY OF POWERTRAINS WITH PLUG-IN HYBRIDS… Hotfoot from this week's BMW PHEV driving event, David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) reports. (Photographs from BMW and David Miles – 330e interior and engine bay). The figures speak for themselves with the latest line-up of new BMW PHEV plug-in hybrid electric vehicles on offer, and with more models to come. To get to grips … [Read more...]
Mitsubishi (and Volvo) PHEV news…
MITSUBISHI MOTORS OUTLINES PHEV SALES FACT FROM FICTION MYTHS. Plus… Late news in from Volvo re. free electricity for their new PHEV customers David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) tells all. At a recent motoring media briefing, Conor Twomey, General Manager Internal Communications and Government Affairs for Mitsubishi Motors in the UK, outlined the issues the industry is having with … [Read more...]
Changing vehicle technology requires new skills…
A new technology time-bomb is ticking in the used car trade. Robin Roberts reports. Rapidly changing vehicle technology means that the remarketing sector is going to have to undergo an unprecedented period of upskilling over the next decade, says the Vehicle Remarketing Association. The organisation – which represent companies that handle, sell, inspect, transport or manage more than 1.5 … [Read more...]
Latest Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV – Road Test
MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER PHEV CONTINUES LEADING THE WAY FOR UK SALES. David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) tells all… The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) finished another strong sales year in 2018 as the UK’s best-selling plug-in hybrid vehicle with 8,701 vehicles registered, an increase of 16% over 2017. The uprated Outlander PHEV was launched last September with … [Read more...]
2019 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV – First Impressions
The new (2019) version of Mitsubishi’s Outlander PHEV large SUV is even less taxing than its predecessor… …says David miles (Miles Better News Agency). The new 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) five seater SUV with 4WD is now available in the UK priced from £34,255 including the Government’s £2,500 plug-in vehicle grant. It is available at launch with five … [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...]
