Car review: Ford’s Mondeo Vignale attempts to appeal to today’s upwardly mobile classes May 18, 2015 The “Mondeo Man” who Tony Blair famously courted during the 1997 General Election could be found on suburban driveways, polishing his car and wondering whether he should vote Conservative now he was moving up in the world. If Ed Miliband had targeted a similar demographic ahead of this year’s election, perhaps he might have [...]
What leaders can learn from social activists May 13, 2015 Support for your cause depends on getting the right people on board. Social movements vary in size and scope, from the civil rights movement and the Arab Spring to small petitions seeking to rescue a local business or service. But they all have one thing in common: they’re led by individuals who are able [...]
Not convinced? May 11, 2015 CHECK OUT THESE ALTERNATIVES… CITROEN GRAND C4 PICASSO 2.0 BLUE HDI EXCLUSIVE PRICE: £28,110 0-62MPH: 10.2 secs TOP SPEED: 128mph CO2 G/KM: 115g/km MPG COMBINED: 64.2mpg THE VERDICT: DESIGN Five Stars PERFORMANCE Three Stars PRACTICALITY Five Stars VALUE FOR MONEY Four Stars FORD GRAND C-MAX 2.0 TDCI TITANIUM X NAV AUTO PRICE: £27,865 0-62MPH: 10.7 secs TOP SPEED: [...]
Ford sales ease off the gas amid product switch April 28, 2015 FORD saw a fall in profits for the first three months of the year as its sales in North America were dampened by a product switchover. Globally, the firm sold 1.57m vehicles, down 21,000 compared with a year earlier, according to its financial results released yesterday. Fewer vehicle sales were registered in North America – [...]
London commuting is more stressful than moving house, going to the dentist or dealing with money matters April 28, 2015 Commuting in London is more stressful than moving house, going to the dentist or dealing with money matters. Our daily journey to and from work is even more infuriating than the job itself. For those of us who have had to put up with months of stress at London Bridge, the Farringdon flood, [...]
Vauxhall’s pocket rocket returns: New Corsa VXR proves heady days of hot hatches are back April 20, 2015 Are there no bargains anymore? Hot hatches used to be value thrill machines, cramming outsized engines into tiny bodies to create instant exhilaration. But then everyone bought small SUVs, seemingly giving up on dreams of one day owning a car that’s actually fun to drive. But hot hatches are having a revival – the model [...]
Not convinced? April 20, 2015 CHECK OUT THESE ALTERNATIVES… FORD FIESTA ST PRICE: £18,395 0-62MPH: 6.9 secs TOP SPEED: 139mph CO2 G/KM: 138g/km MPG COMBINED: 47.9mpg THE VERDICT: DESIGN Four Stars PERFORMANCE Five Stars PRACTICALITY Four Stars VALUE FOR MONEY Five Stars RENAULTSPORT CLIO 200 PRICE: £18,995 0-62MPH: 6.7 secs TOP SPEED: 143mph CO2 G/KM: 144g/km MPG COMBINED: 44.8mpg THE VERDICT: DESIGN Four Stars [...]
Car review: The Tesla Model S P85D is seriously fast, with an “Insane” mode to scare off its rivals April 13, 2015 Tesla, the darling of the alternative-power car makers, has made more progress in a few short years than the likes of Ford, General Motors and even Toyota when it comes to electric cars. The American firm, co-founded by Elon Musk of PayPal fame, has not only made great strides technology-wise, but has also achieved much [...]
Grand National Sweepstake April 9, 2015 40 Horses, 4m 31/2 f, 30 fences and AP McCoy’s last ride in the race. Bill Esdaile casts his expert eye over the Grand National runners. Lord Windermere 40/1 Former Gold Cup winner but isn’t in form and has a massive weight Many Clouds 33/1 Had a very hard race in the Gold Cup and [...]
Best month of car sales this century April 8, 2015 Nearly half a million new cars rolled on to Britain’s roads in March, the best month for new car registrations since 1999. Consumers and firms registered 492,774 new cars in March, up six per cent on the same month last year, according to figures released yesterday by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). [...]