The Ford Focus RS is the perfect blend of practicality, performance and visceral thrills February 8, 2016 The verdict Design | ★★★★☆ Performance | ★★★★★ Practicality | ★★★★ Value | ★★★★☆ A working class hero is something to be,” declared John Lennon in 1971. Was it mere coincidence that Ford had just launched the Escort RS1600, a road-legal rally car that brought power-slides to the masses? OK, so, yes, it definitely was a coincidence, but I’m [...]
How the Jaguar F-Type bagged us an invite to party with Kendall Jenner February 3, 2016 There are four bungalows situated behind the high walls of the notorious Chateau Marmont, each one the location of countless rock n’ roll parties. Mine has a particularly macabre claim to fame; the master bedroom was where comedy icon John Belushi checked out permanently. It’s a modernist LA pad, with floor-to-ceiling windows, whitewashed brick walls, [...]
Audi R8 supercar is up there with McLaren and Aston Martin January 26, 2016 The plan was to fly to the South of France at 9am, then spend the rest of the day driving around the glorious Var region. But fog-related delays meant we didn’t arrive at Paul Ricard until darkness was setting in. The next morning there was rain of biblical proportions. That’s not the ideal way to [...]
Range Rover Sport SVR motoring review: is it as brilliant as it is brawny? January 18, 2016 The Oxford English Dictionary defines a sports car as, “A low-built car designed for performance at high speeds”. That makes the modern “sports utility vehicle” – high, heavy and often cumbersome – seem a contradiction in terms. However, not all SUVs are created equal, and the 162mph Range Rover Sport SVR is faster and more [...]
Lexus GS F review: the fast and furious GS F is an altogether different kind of Lexus January 14, 2016 If you think Lexus is all about holier-than-thou hybrids… you’re almost right. But, like the accountant who swaps his suit for suspenders at weekends, the Japanese carmaker has a naughty side. Meet the new GS F: a V8-engined super saloon that laughs in the face of rainforests. The ‘F’, in case you were wondering, stands [...]
McLaren 570S motoring review: A sports car built for the city December 7, 2015 The Porsche 911 is the Volkswagen Golf of the sports car world. Nobody will flame you for buying one, but nobody will raise an eyebrow or turn a head, either. Solid, reliable and trustworthy, it’s like a pair of sensible shoes, albeit one that can reach 200mph. That’s why Audi did such good business with [...]
Mini Clubman motoring review: Mini’s big dream has been realised with the Clubman November 30, 2015 The Mini hatch is a popular car for good reason. Not only does it look good, it feels suitably luxurious inside and it’s great to drive. Perhaps this is why it’s sold by the bucket-load – even edging into the top 10 best selling cars of 2015 so far. But the Mini has never excelled [...]
Peugeot 308 GTI is a chip off the old block November 9, 2015 DESIGN: ★★★☆☆ PERFORMANCE: ★★★★☆ PRACTICALITY: ★★★★☆ VALUE: ★★★★☆ There is an unwritten rule of motoring journalism that any review of a sporty Peugeot must reference the 205 GTI. But while the “best hot hatch of all time” is undoubtedly an icon, it’s also an albatross. Its brilliance has cast a long shadow over every subsequent Peugeot. [...]
Audi A4 motoring review: From worst car in the class to a class act October 19, 2015 Audi, in recent years, has been in the rather unfortunate position of selling the worst car in its class. It’s long been unable to topple the BMW 3 Series as the best compact premium saloon, of course, but an honourable runner-up slot used to suffice. Then Mercedes-Benz came along with the new C-Class and, one [...]
Why the Vuhl 05 is the most thrilling car you’ll drive this year October 12, 2015 You’ve finally got the dream job, with the dream financial package to match. Obviously you’re going to spend a chunk of it on a stand-out motorcar. But which one? What says, look at me, I’ve made it? Not an Audi or a BMW – you’d be better off with a Ford Mondeo around the City [...]