If you drive an older Zafira, you NEED to read this. Our Grumpy Old Mechanic reports... Our Grumpy Old Mechanic avoids sensationalism but feels it important to reveal a safety-critical problem of which most Zafira owners/operators are almost certainly unaware… Last week a very tidy-looking first generation (‘A’ Series) Vauxhall Zafira 2.0 DTi dating from late 2003 was brought in to our … [Read more...]
Contributors
DS Automobiles DS3 Connected Chic Pure Tech 110 S&S – First Impressions
Chris Adamson assesses this compact DS with a very big name… (All words and photographs by Chris). If you are going to give a new model an extensive moniker such as the Connected Chic PureTech, then it has a big name to live up to – that’s the task DS Automobiles has set for the latest addition to its popular DS3 hatchback line-up. The new trim level for DS Automobiles best-selling model is … [Read more...]
New car sales figures plunge for November…
Robin Roberts reports on the latest falls in car sales numbers... Diesel sales have collapsed 30% in Britain as the new car market contracted by over 11% last month, said the car-makers’ body. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders reported a rise to over 33% for alternatively fuelled vehicles and a 5% increase in petrol engined models. The big switch from … [Read more...]
Updated Nissan Qashqai – News and Road Test
The Family Holdall – The latest Nissan Qashqai improved in most areas. By David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). The Nissan Qashqai is a C-SUV segment mid-sized ‘Crossover’ first launched in 2007 and is generally credited with launching the term Crossover. In real terms what does Crossover mean? Well the space of a C-segment family hatchback with the raised ride height and styling of an SUV, … [Read more...]
Latest Fiat 500L – First Impressions
Moving with the times – The new Fiat 500L. By David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). The 500L launched in 2013 in the UK was an extension of the new generation Fiat 500 city car introduced in 2007. That generation was a modern interpretation of the original Fiat 500, also known as The Cinquecento, launched 60 years ago in 1957. The family was further extended in 2015 with the introduction of … [Read more...]
Mazda 6 Tourer – Road Test
Keith Ward test drives the Mazda 6 Tourer (estate car). WHILE a new, fourth generation Mazda 6 is on the far horizon, with a global unveiling at this month’s Los Angeles Motor Show, the current version continues to hold respect here. That is particularly in estate form, an old faithful which accounts for 70 per cent of the model's 8,000 UK sales to date (end of October) this year and is looked … [Read more...]
Jaguar XE Sports saloon – with new Ingenium engine – Road Test
Jaguar XE 2018 range receives Ingenium petrol engines. Latest model test-driven by David Miles (Miles Better News Agency)... The 2018 model year Jaguar XE sports saloon sees the debut of Jaguar Land Rover’s new Ingenium petrol engines, in particular the first application of their 2.0 litre, four cylinder turbocharged 200, 250 and 300 hp petrol engines. A 240hp Ingenium turbodiesel engine is also … [Read more...]
Latest Jeep Compass – First Impresssions
Heading in the Right Direction – the new Jeep Compass. First impressions, as assessed by David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). The new Jeep Compass compact SUV is heading in the right direction in terms of size, five star safety equipment, inclusive specifications and some competitive prices. With sales of compact SUVs booming the second generation new Jeep Compass is priced from £22,995 … [Read more...]
Ford’s Fiesta – a look back at more than 40 years of this winning model
Ford's Fiesta versus the sands of time... by Dave Moss. In 2006, 30 years on from the original launch of the Fiesta, Ford gave selected motoring journalists the opportunity to compare original models with the then current car. Dave Moss was one of those who enjoyed a drive down memory lane... The original Fiesta, its name chosen by Henry Ford himself – and which very nearly became the Ford … [Read more...]
Budget News – Diesel car owners to pay the price for their choice of vehicle…
Diesel cars are in for a battering after the Budget – but VED potential increases for all cars as well. By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). New diesel cars that do not meet latest emissions standards will face an increase from April in a one-off tax which will last until 2021 when most are expected to be replaced with the latest technology. Affected models will be those which … [Read more...]
Hot off the press – Jaguar’s E-Pace First Impressions
Jaguar’s compact E-Pace first test drive. By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Everyone loves a cub, at least that’s what Jaguar is hoping for with the arrival of its new smaller SUV next month. It will be the first production Jaguar ever not to be built in the UK with production taking place in Austria and China. In the UK it will be sold in one five-door, five-seat body-shape in … [Read more...]
Toyota – 25 years of UK manufacturing, and latest Auris Hybrid Road Test
Auris hybrid GB25 celebrates 25 years of Toyota building cars in the UK. By David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). Toyota started building cars in the UK 25 years ago for our domestic market, Europe and wider afield. Their first model, the Carina E, came off the Burnaston production line in Derbyshire in 1992. Since then over four million vehicles have come from this production facility, the … [Read more...]
Book review: Gullible’s Travels – About two extraordinary ‘against all odds’ journeys, 70 years apart, undertaken in 1947 Austin Sixteens
Kim Henson reviews this entertaining book, and says, “If you like motoring adventures you really won’t want to put down this fascinating book, until you have finished reading it…” Title: Gullible’s Travels… Authors: Alan C. Hess and Guy Loveridge (with a Foreword by Leonard Lord). Published by: Douglas Loveridge Publications, 85, Warburton, Emley, West Yorkshire, HD8 9QP. 214 pages … [Read more...]
Mazda looks ahead – plus CX-5 SUV First Impressions
Mazda looks to the future – and CX-5 SUV brief test drive. By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). What the Chancellor, in his Budget next week, has in store for diesel-powered vehicles is the subject of rumour and speculation to combat their so-called higher pollution than petrol models. But increases in VAT or VED road tax on new diesel cars bought from a date to be specified, or an … [Read more...]
Skoda Rapid Spaceback – Road Test
Skoda Rapid Spaceback – More Space – Less Price... By David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). The updated Skoda Rapid and Rapid Spaceback models were revealed at the Geneva Motor Show in March and are now established within the popular Skoda extensive range of models. Where the Rapid and Rapid Spaceback sit in the line-up needs some explanation. They are both positioned between the Fabia … [Read more...]
News – Hydrogen fuel cells are the way forward, according to Kia and sister company Hyundai
Fuel for thought, after nearly 180 years. By Robin Roberts (Miles Better News Agency). The fuel cell is the only technology which will provide a sustainable automotive industry in the long run, according to the head of research for Kia Motors FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles) team, Dr Saehoon Kim (pictured below). The Korean manufacturer is the country’s oldest vehicle maker and is pouring … [Read more...]
Hot off the press news about Mitsubishi’s new seven seater Shogun Sport SUV…
New Shogun Sport seven seater SUV announced today for UK sales… By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). A new Mitsubishi Shogun Sport will be launched into the booming SUV sector next spring but the only European country to get it will be the UK. Why only the UK? Because the Shogun Sport, also known as Pajero Sport, is built in Thailand as a right hand drive vehicle and it is built … [Read more...]
Honda NSX ‘old and new’ plus Civics ‘classic and modern’ – Kim’s Impressions
Kim Henson revisits Honda’s sensational first series NSX – and drives the latest car bearing this revered name, also taking brief outings in Civics old and new too! All words and photographs by Kim, with the exception of the main front and rear shots of the 2017 Civic Type R – these courtesy of Honda). As a motoring writer, one of the questions I am most often asked is, “What are your … [Read more...]
First Test Drive of the Kia Sorento in South Korea
Robin Roberts (Miles Better News Agency) reports from South Korea on the new Kia Sorento that will make its UK debut next year… I have been in South Korea on an automotive industry fact-finding trip and during his visit I had a preview test drive in the latest Kia Sorento large seven seat SUV. This range can be ordered now by UK customers with deliveries starting in January 2018. The booming … [Read more...]
Volvo XC60 – Road Test
Keith Ward puts Volvo’s latest compact SUV through its paces… VOLVO’s original XC60 compact SUV sold nearly 1m around the world in its nine-year production run, claims to be currently the best-selling premium mid-sized SUV in Europe, and attracts as many as 30 per cent of the Swedish brand’s customers. Thus this second generation version, new for 2017, commands interest. It reflects Volvo’s … [Read more...]
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