Honda has persevered with the petrol engine longer than most manufacturers, only introducing its first diesel engine in 2009. That 2.2-litre unit was an exceptionally good start, but it was always just a bit too big, a bit too heavy, to sit well in the Civic. Fortunately the Japanese firmContinue Reading
Nissan’s Note was a worthy if unremarkable small MPV. Easy to drive, but lacking any kind of wow factor, it was exactly the sort of car that a power-hungry, oversteer-loving road tester would avoid. Now there’s a new Note, so does this one strike a chord or is serving upContinue Reading
Peugeot is on a bit of a roll right now. The 208, despite its flaws, marked a huge step forward for the French firm, while its bigger 2008 brother showed that they can turn out a car that’s amongst the best in class. The 308 is huge jump forwards inContinue Reading
In designing the new Range Rover Sport, Land Rover went to their existing buyers and asked them what they wanted. Their answer was simple; give us more Range Rover and give us more Sport.Continue Reading
It doesn’t happen very often, but just occasionally a manufacturer comes along with a new car that makes you sit back and think about what prospects the future could hold. The original Range Rover created an entire new market back in the 70s, while more recently Mazda proved with theirContinue Reading
In an age of downsizing and economising it’s always a thrill to discover a car that’s able to engender the sensation of an event – the feeling that stepping inside is not purely taking a seat in some transport to the office but removing yourself from the world around you,Continue Reading
As Alfa Romeo’s first supermini since the demise of the Alfasud in 1989, the MiTo has a lot to achieve. Not only does it have to bring people to the struggling brand but when they get there it has to be every bit as good as its Mini and FiatContinue Reading
It may have had the mildest blink-and-you-miss-it facelift, but underneath the skin there have been plenty of revisions to extend not only the range of Nissan’s pure electric car, but also the appeal. I took a quick drive to find out if it’s worked.Continue Reading
Peugeot’s 208 has sold like the proverbial hotcake since launch last year, with 35,000 of the cars now cruising around Britain’s roads. The French manufacturer is now hoping to keep that momentum going with a jacked-up crossover variant, the 2008.Continue Reading
Korean manufacturer’s reputations are rising now, with the likes of Hyundai and Kia putting out ever more competitive cars, occasionally matching the best that Europe has to offer. SsangYong are joining in the march of progress with the new Korando, a car that at least appears to be light yearsContinue Reading
Is it possible for something to be too good? Could Zooey Deschanel be improved if she didn’t have that manufactured-manic-hipster-pixie personality? Is a Big Mac still a Big Mac if you take out the gherkin?Continue Reading
The Citroen DS3 has been a firm favourite with UK buyers since its launch, outselling every other car in the French firms range. With the first rays of sunshine finally beaming down on the country, Citroen has now taken the obvious step of slicing the roof off.Continue Reading
The word ‘swift’ conjures up different images for different people. To Samantha, my partner, it brings to mind summer evenings with tiny birds swooping around a darkening blue sky. To me it means speed, but not outright big numbers, rather the sensation of moving from point A to point BContinue Reading
It might look like a van with windows, but the Peugeot Partner Tepee shares more with the 308 hatchback than it does with any commercial load-lugger. Those van-like looks actually mask what is a surprisingly capable car. Granted, you won’t want to be looking in this direction if high performanceContinue Reading
I’m spending eight days with the Vauxhall Ampera, learning just what life is really like with this range extended electric car. Follow me and find out. #lifewithamperaContinue Reading
The Mercedes A-Class was always a car to divide opinion. Forward thinking when launched, the upright stance and innovative packaging gave you a large interior within a small car, but at the expense of driving dynamics, even desirability. It was practical, if unorthodox, but rivals from Audi and BMW left itContinue Reading
The once maligned Skoda brand has been turned in to a huge triumph thanks to investment from Volkswagen, and one would imagine thoughts of a similar level of success were going through Renault’s mind when they took control of Dacia in 1999.Continue Reading
