Reliable? Certainly. Cool? Not quite November 25, 2013 Skoda has built a strong reputation on its solid, dependable cars. Now it’s aiming for something more stylish SKODA’S transformation under the stewardship of Volkswagen Group has been nothing short of remarkable. In 15 years it has evolved to become one of the best-selling car brands in Europe. It is also one of the most [...]
Not convinced? November 25, 2013 CHECK OUT THESE ALTERNATIVES… FORD FOCUS EDGE 1.6 TDCI 115PS PRICE: £17,395 0-62MPH: 10.8 secs TOP SPEED: 120mph CO2 G/KM: 109g/km MPG COMBINED: 67.3mpg THE VERDICT: DESIGN Four Stars PERFORMANCE Four Stars PRACTICALITY Four Stars VALUE FOR MONEY Three Stars KIA CEED 1.6 CRDI PRICE: £16,295 0-62MPH: 11.5 secs TOP SPEED: 122mph CO2 G/KM: 97g/km MPG COMBINED: 76.3mpg THE [...]
To Infiniti but probably not beyond November 18, 2013 This tech-heavy premium motor has an impressive array of gadgetry but fails to knock your socks off Performance first” is the motto of Infiniti, the premium car brand from the same company behind Nissan. You can tell it’s serious because, at the launch of its latest car in Barcelona, everyone from Infiniti is dressed like [...]
Not convinced? November 18, 2013 CHECK OUT THESE ALTERNATIVES… BMW ACTIVE HYBRID 3 PRICE: £40,560 0-62MPH: 5.3 secs TOP SPEED: 155mph CO2 G/KM: 139g/km MPG COMBINED: 47.9mpg The VERDICT: DESIGN Four Stars PERFORMANCE Four Stars PRACTICALITY Three Stars VALUE FOR MONEY Three Stars VOLVO V60 PLUG-IN HYBRID PRICE: £43,775 0-62MPH: 6.1 secs TOP SPEED: 142mph CO2 G/KM: 48g/km MPG COMBINED: 155.2mpg The VERDICT: DESIGN [...]
Who says green has to mean dull? November 11, 2013 The powerful and attractive new Porsche Panamera is a vast improvement on first generation hybrids PORSCHE has been selling its hybrid Panamera since 2011 but this is its first plug-in car. Its predecessor, like other first generation hybrids, had an absurdly limited electric-only range of just two miles, which meant its hybrid components only served [...]
Not convinced? November 11, 2013 CHECK OUT THESE ALTERNATIVES… BMW ActiveHybrid7 PRICE: £69,295 0-62MPH: 5.7 secs TOP SPEED: 155mph CO2 G/KM: 158g/km MPG COMBINED: 41.5mpg THE VERDICT: DESIGN Four stars PERFORMANCE Four stars PRACTICALITY Four stars VALUE FOR MONEY Four stars MERCEDES S-CLASS HYBRID PRICE: £69,650 0-62MPH: 6.8 secs TOP SPEED: 155mph CO2 G/KM: 147g/km MPG COMBINED: 44.8mpg THE VERDICT: DESIGN Four stars PERFORMANCE [...]
BMW electrifies driving in the city November 4, 2013 The German manufacturer’s first electric car is both a revelation and a bargain LOTS of companies claim their products are revolutionary. But when BMW says its new i3 electric car is ground-breaking, it means it. Usually, electric cars are bought by eco-conscious people on environmental grounds. Such cars are often compromised in terms of space and [...]
Not convinced? November 4, 2013 CHECK OUT THESE ALTERNATIVES… CITROEN C-ZERO PRICE: £21,216* 0-62MPH: 15.9 secs TOP SPEED: 80mph CO2 G/KM: Zero at tailpipe RANGE: 93 miles * (INC. PLUG-IN GRANT) THE VERDICT: DESIGN Two stars PERFORMANCE Two stars PRACTICALITY Two stars VALUE FOR MONEY Two stars NISSAN LEAF PRICE: £20,990* 0-62MPH: 11.9 secs TOP SPEED: 90mph CO2 G/KM: Zero at tailpipe [...]
The A3 compact saloon vs the hatch October 28, 2013 Audi is taking a punt on this new-ish segment. We find it has bags of character, if not the “oomph” factor IF THERE’S a niche to be filled in the car market, Audi is often the first there. And so it is with the new compact Audi A3 Saloon, the 47th model in Audi’s line [...]
Not convinced? October 28, 2013 CHECK OUT THESE ALTERNATIVES… BMW 1 SERIES COUPE 120D PRICE: £24,145 0-62MPH: 7.6 SECS TOP SPEED: 142MPH CO2 G/KM: 124G/KM MPG COMBINED: 60.1MPG THE VERDICT: DESIGN Two stars PERFORMANCE Three stars PRACTICALITY Three stars VALUE FOR MONEY Three stars MERCEDES CLA 220 CDI SPORT PRICE: £29,355 0-62MPH: 8.2 SECS TOP SPEED: 143MPH CO2 G/KM: 117G/KM MPG COMBINED: 62.8MPG THE [...]