Tom Scanlan tries Citroën’s range-topping diesel-electric executive express... In its white pearlescent paint, with polished metal blade-like embellishments, this big Citroën certainly cuts a dash. Then you get inside and it’s ‘Blimey! I need a Private Pilot’s Licence to operate this thing!’ There are so many controls, switches, knobs, levers and buttons around and above you that the proper … [Read more...]
Contributors
Finding Future Classics
When do the first indications appear that a car is turning into a classic and its value could start rising? The only real answer is eventually - maybe... but there are certain clues that, intelligently interpreted, can point thoughtful buyers in the right direction. Much depends here on your definition of a "classic," for many regard any car of a certain age in that light; others might give more … [Read more...]
The Most Expensive and the Cheapest VW Golfs!
Tom Scanlan tries Golf R Cabriolet 2.0 TSI and the Golf S 1.2 TSI 3-door... Golf R Cabriolet £38,770 for a Golf? Really! Alright, it is a cabriolet, it has a mighty 265 PS 2-litre TSI engine and all sorts of smart equipment – except electric seats. What’s it like then? Well, it sure goes, of course; it’s the fastest-ever production open Golf. The car has VW’s 6-speed DSG automatic … [Read more...]
Honda Civic 1.6 i-DTEC EX Manual
Honda has put on sale its latest 1.6-litre 120PS Diesel engine in the popular Civic range. As seems to be customary, the technology in this engine has been given a name: ‘Earth Dreams’. Broadly speaking, it hints at eco-friendliness, through efficiency in frugal fuel consumption and low emission pollution, but without reducing accelerative performance (0-62 mph in 10.5 seconds). The range … [Read more...]
Ford Fiesta ST
Kim Henson takes to the wheel of a ‘future classic’ Ford. Yes, I know that it isn’t usual to write the ‘conclusions’ at the start of an article, but on this occasion I’m going to stick my neck out and say, unequivocally, that the new Ford Fiesta ST is set to become an iconic ‘classic’ Ford, even in its own time, and with the car just having been launched! So what’s so compelling about this … [Read more...]
Electric vehicle land speed record
At a time when attention to Land Speed Records is rightly being concentrated on the Bloodhound SSC project, attempting to lift the World Record to over 1,000 mph, it is interesting that, for the first time in nearly 40 years, a fresh and successful attempt has been made at the ‘World Electric Land Speed Record’ for lightweight electrically-powered vehicles. Under rules laid down by the FIA … [Read more...]
Audi A3 Sportback SE
Chris Adamson samples the latest five door version of Audi's A3 In one of those odd twists in the global motor industry, more than six months after it launched the new A3, Audi is only now just introducing the body-style that is going to be its best seller. Having tested the water with the A3 three-door, Audi adds the Sportback, its five-door stable-mate which will eventually out-sell it three … [Read more...]
Skoda Octavia vRS
Skoda has announced the world debut, at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on 19th July 2013, of the new, third generation Octavia vRS. The new model is offered in saloon and estate form, and with a choice of two new engines, a 220 PS, 2.0 litre petrol motor, or a 184 PS, 2.0 litre diesel unit. These provide enhanced performance but at the same time give savings in exhaust emissions and fuel … [Read more...]
Long distance Volgas drive to Silverstone
Making a round trip of over 6,000 kilometres (4,000 or so miles) from Moscow to the Silverstone Classic event (which runs from 26th to 28th July) are two intrepid members of the Russian GAZ-21 Car Club, in a pair of classic Volgas. Vladimir Smagin and Dmitry Kilpio will be travelling via Minsk, Warsaw, Poznan, Hannover, Antwerpe, Brugge and London, on their way to Silverstone. Over 8,200 classics … [Read more...]
MG6 DTi-Tech TSE
MG: Classic British name and design, Chinese company; MG6 appraisal by Tom Scanlan You don’t see many around, because there aren’t that many on the road, but are we missing a trick? The MG6 has been around a couple of years and the range includes a diesel. This could be the one to go for. Starting price for the diesel is £16,995. Look around at other cars of this price and you don’t always get … [Read more...]
BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo and Facelifted Z4 Roadster
BMW’s latest twin car launch introduces the 3-series Grand Turismo and face-lifted Z4 two-seater . By Tom Scanlan The 3 Series GT is all new and is both longer and taller than the saloon and the Touring estate. Cars given this body treatment may possibly end up looking a bit gawky, or, at least, unusual, like a coupe on steroids. BMW’s effort is a matter of personal taste, but the overall result … [Read more...]
45 years of the Citroën Méhari
Throughout the company’s history, Citroën has been known for producing innovative and fascinating vehicles. Well, here’s one that not everyone may be aware of… The firm is currently celebrating 45 years since the introduction (on 16th May 1968) of its now rarely encountered Méhari. This diminutive but versatile and useful vehicle was built for utility and pleasure, and was unpretentious when … [Read more...]
Beaulieu Spring Autojumble ‘Fun In The Sun’
The 20th annual Beaulieu Spring Autojumble, sponsored by ‘Practical Classics’ magazine and held over the weekend of 18th and 19th May, attracted myriads of fascinating stalls (a record number of 1,069) and thousands of enthusiastic people (a best-ever figure of 16,507, including stallholders). The weather was good for this year’s event, helping visitors to navigate easily their way through the … [Read more...]
30 years of the Nissan Micra
Can you believe it? Surely it can’t already be 30 years since the Nissan Micra was launched in the U.K? Well, it is. Throughout four generations, the model has been known and liked for its dependability and low running costs. To help celebrate three decades of the model, Nissan has introduced a range of special ‘30’ themed offers for owners… So, for all Micra drivers with more than three … [Read more...]
Satisfied Skoda Owners
For the second year running, Skoda’s Czech-built five door ‘cross-over’ Yeti has been named as the ‘Most Satisfying Car to Own’, in the Auto Express Driver Power customer satisfaction survey. Owners’ feedback provided an overall satisfaction rating of 92.65 per cent. The Yeti wasn’t alone in terms of Skoda accolades, for a total of three of the company’s models were placed in the top six for … [Read more...]
Bristol Classic Car Show
What a Show at Shepton Mallet! Enthusiasts attending the Footman James 34th Bristol Classic Car Show, held these days at the Bath and West Showground, Shepton Mallet, were treated to a wonderful display of approximately 200 classic cars and 65 owners’ clubs, plus a wide array of autojumble stands for those seeking components for their project vehicles. In addition, for those seeking ‘new’ … [Read more...]
Chrysler 300C
If you are in the market for a large luxury saloon your choice is normally restricted to the big four from Germany, Lexus from Japan or Jaguar from Britain – that is unless you have a taste for transatlantic indulgence. Tracing its heritage back to the Yank Tanks of the 50s, the Chrysler 300C is a big front engine rear-wheel drive barge of a vehicle that last appeared in UK showroom three years … [Read more...]
Goodwood 2013 preview
If you have ever visited Goodwood for any of its highly popular classic motor sport related events, you’ll want to go again, and if you have never yet taken the plunge, it’s wise to book early! Kim Henson reports from this year’s press preview event… The Goodwood motor racing circuit was made famous in the 1950s/60s by the exciting races which took place there, with the top drivers of that … [Read more...]
Electric Volkswagen e-up!
Volkswagen has announced its first fully electric production vehicle, the four seater ‘e-up!’. The e-up! Will be powered by an 82PS motor, which will enable the car to reach 62 mph from rest within 14 seconds, and it is said that it will have a range between charges of 150 km (about 100 miles). Its battery can be recharged to up to 80 per cent of its storage capacity with half an hour. The … [Read more...]
Honda Jazz – Don’t you just love it?
In a recent survey (of 40,000 drivers with 47,000 cars), carried out by consumer organisation ‘Which?’, the first generation Honda Jazz has been rated as Britain’s most satisfying supermini to own. The externally diminutive but internally spacious and versatile Jazz notched up a score of 91 per cent overall, being rated as a ‘reliable, practical and cheap to run’ car, and saying that it was a … [Read more...]