Like every other manufacturer, Ford is struggling to fulfill orders in the current climate of confusion but it’s worth waiting to get your hands on the latest Focus ST. The market is changing for petrol-heads but the Focus ST still remains very desirable, particularly in the six-speed manual specification we tried as opposed the seven-speed automatic option. Our test car was fitted with £2,775 … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Ford Kuga ST-Line X Edition PHEV
Ford has been a bit slow pushing into the hybrid sector, but I think it's been worth the wait to drive the Kuga PHEV. The highly popular SUV behind the blue-oval badge has been well designed and developed for today's buyers of family cars who want to have as few compromises as possible but also need a good range. The recent petrol fuel shortages meant the car's reasonable electric only … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: BMW 1 Series 118i auto M Sport 5-door
The third generation BMW 1 Series range of 5-door hatchbacks is now with us, writes David Miles. In a change from previous versions this generation is predominately made up of front wheel drive versions with transversely mounted engines which have a shorter bonnet, the cabin area moved forward within the car’s footprint and the rear seat knee room is increased with a larger boot so it’s a roomier … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Mazda3 2.0 122ps Sport Lux 5dr
A lot is being pinned on the all-new Mazda3 hatchback, and deservedly so. Launched in the UK in spring 2019, it is competing in a tough sector of family and company cars but its about to get a big boost this autumn. The new Mazda3 hatchbacks initially came with either a 122ps 2.0-litre Skyactiv-G petrol or 116ps Skyactiv-D diesel engine, in five trim levels: SE-L, SE-L Lux, Sport Lux, … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Hyundai i10 Play
Schools are out and holidays are here, time to Play. The carefree approach mayn’t be what Hyundai had in mind but their city car is certainly light hearted and cheery. The i10 series is entry level to Hyundai range and comes in no less than seven trim levels, Play is second tier, with 67ps 1.0 litre or 87ps 1.2 litre petrol engines, 5sp manual or 4sp automatic … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Audi A1 Sportback 30 TFSI S line
Audi experience in the luxury sector really shows in its supermini A1. First shown in 2010 as a 3-door, the 5-door came 12 months later and arrived in Britain in 2012, and it’s a successor to the Audi A2. Today, Audi’s entry level model comes in a comprehensive range of over 30 versions utilising some 5 engine choices with manual or automatic gearboxes, and 7 trim levels in 3 or … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: MG ZS 1.5 VTI-tech Exclusive
With the uncertainties of Brexit, higher interest rates and fuel prices, plus new WLTP fuel economy and CO2 figures now being applicable and the demonising of diesel engines, there are a lot of uncertainties in the UK’s motoring world and new car sales are being affected, writes David Miles. Sales in the retail, fleet and business sectors fell 20.5% for the new registration plate change month … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Ford EcoSport ST Line 140
Ford aims to punch above its weight with the latest EcoSport, writes Robin Roberts. It was launched in South America in 2004 but the model we know today is the second generation which appeared in 2012, was updated in 2014 and again in 2017 for global sale, and manufactured in six plants. Currently in the UK there are nearly 20 versions of the EcoSport in ST-Line, Titanium … [Read more...]
First drive: New MG3 is safe and sound
Having been through many periods of ownership, including BMC and British Leyland, today MG is in the hands of SAIC, China’s largest car manufacturer, writes David Miles. They sold 6.9-million new cars last year globally, 3.52-million in the first six months of this year, and MG is now the global brand for SAIC outside China and for the domestic market their brand of different models is … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Citroen C3 Flair 1.2 110hp petrol 5dr
School's over for thousands of teenagers this week but the long summer break will see many begin new lessons learning to drive, says David Miles. So I thought I would put Citroen’s best selling C3 five-door ‘supermini’ range to test after it won ‘Driving Instructor Car of the Year’ title in the 2018 FirstCar Awards. FirstCar is the dedicated resource for learner and newly qualified … [Read more...]