The new Volvo XC90 is more luxurious than the equivalent Jaguar, with the loveliest SUV interior this side of a Bentley Bentayga April 29, 2016 The Volvo XC90 T8 Inscription feels incredibly Swedish, in the best possible sense; classy and restrained, with a hint of noir about it. If a forensic psychologist arrived at your door in one of these, investigating the murder of your business associate, you would be very worried indeed. It eloquently answers any misgivings we might [...]
Industry 4.0: How disruptive technology can rescue British manufacturing April 7, 2016 Industry 4.0 is revolutionising the way international manufacturers and construction companies approach business, but the UK has a long way to go if its industry is to keep pace with its European rivals. This new world is based on digitisation, which blurs the line between the virtual and the physical. Connected products and “smart” machines [...]
Audi’s new Q7 e-tron helps owner VW escape Dieselgate scandal April 4, 2016 The Q7 is a big, brash SUV made by Volkswagen Group’s upmarket Audi brand and fitted with a 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine. But you can drive it in London guilt-free, without paying the congestion charge and avoiding road tax. How? Because it’s fitted it with an electric motor alongside the conventional engine – and you can [...]
Toyota Prius review: the new model is now a serious contender for the budget-conscious driver March 24, 2016 This year I became a Prius convert. Until that point it had always been a car for other people; I found the whole doing-good-for-the-planet thing irritating. And the logic behind the Prius didn’t work either: if you wanted the best fuel economy, simply buy a diesel. That way you get choice too, rather than having [...]
How to grow your company without killing your culture March 17, 2016 When a company first starts out, it often takes on the personality and values of the founder. Your company culture reflects you, and the people you hire early on often unintentionally fit into this culture, and help to build it. But what happens when you start to grow? If you open a new office or [...]
Budget 2016: George Osborne’s speech in full March 16, 2016 George Osborne has just revealed the Budget for 2016. There was good news for businesses with corporation tax being sliced and business rates being reformed – but bad news for smokers and students who hate maths. Mr Deputy Speaker, Today I report on an economy set to grow faster than any other major advanced economy in [...]
Mercedes-Benz new E-Class still edges its rivals: here’s how March 14, 2016 Visiting a Mercedes-Benz showroom is a bewildering experience. With 17 models to choose from, should you go for a sporty coupe crossover or a sleek shooting brake estate? That’s before you even consider the 50-plus possible engine derivatives. Or the countless extra-cost options. Pity the poor salesman tasked with making sense of it all. But [...]
Ryanair’s corporate jet plans show the value of excelling in a few areas, rather than trying to please all of the people all of the time March 10, 2016 Ryanair has made its name with its no frills, low cost approach – selecting to prioritise cheap fares over in-flight luxuries. The carrier has made steps to shake off its budget tag in recent years, with the launch of Ryanair Business Plus and renewed focus on customer experience. But the airline is taking its move upmarket to new [...]
Lexus RX review: Will hybrid SUVs take over the market after VW’s dieselgate? March 7, 2016 Few things are as unwelcome in central London as a big, gas-guzzling SUV. One of them is a big, diesel SUV sporting a Volkswagen Group badge. Anti-diesel resentment has been bubbling for a number of years, culminating in the VW “dieselgate” emissions scandal that rocked (and continues rocking) the motor industry. However, one manufacturer has [...]
McLaren chief executive Mike Flewitt: There is no way we will ever make an SUV March 3, 2016 As the automotive world’s great and good descended on Geneva for its annual motor show this week, one topic was being discussed: SUVs. After Porsche launched its mammoth Cayenne range in 2012, this year Maserati followed suit, with the $72,000 Levante. Even Ferrari came over all practical, with the launch of its four-seater GTC4 Lusso. [...]