Courier Motoring

'Stopping it will be the most difficult thing' — Scots company's crucial role in Bloodhound SSC 1,000mph attempt

Sat, 05 May 2012 11:04:00 +0100

A Scottish company will make the wheels for the British world land speed record attempt car, Bloodhound SSC.

The light fantastic — the Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera

Sat, 17 Mar 2012 12:49:00 +0000

This is not a car for people who don't like attention. It's not a car for people who do like comfort. And it's certainly not a car for people who don't earn telephone number salaries.

January offers chance to cash in on a quiet used car market

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 08:18:00 +0000

The recession has hit car sales hard. Our motoring editor looks at the opportunities for a bargain in 2012.

Review: Kia Optima

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 09:28:00 +0000

Kia has really pulled its socks up in recent years and now, under former Audi design chief Peter Schreyer, they're producing some of the best looking cars around.

Review: Focus Estate has bags of space

Sat, 24 Dec 2011 08:52:00 +0000

Ford's Focus is Scotland's third-best selling car (the Corsa and Fiesta are No. 1 and No. 2, since you ask) and with good reason — the latest version is terrific.

Review: Seat Alhambra

Sat, 17 Dec 2011 14:38:00 +0000

The majority of cars that advertise themselves as seven seaters should really be billed as seating two large adults, three small adults and two children. Rarely do I come across one where I'd like to spend more than a couple of minutes in the third-row seats.

Review: Renault Grand Scenic

Sat, 10 Dec 2011 12:26:00 +0000

Way back in the 1980s, Renault began the trend for people carriers with the Espace; 25 years on, their MPVs remain among the most popular in a now crowded market.

Increase in breakdowns caused by rodent damage

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 15:27:00 +0000

Repair garages in Angus are reportedly having to deal with a spike in the number of rodent-related breakdowns.

Review: Kia Picanto

Sat, 03 Dec 2011 10:48:00 +0000

This is the Picanto, Kia's popular little city car. Though it was facelifted in 2008, this is the first fully new model since it was launched in 2004. The old car wasn't at all bad, but this one is much better.

Review: Vauxhall Corsa VXR Nurburgring

Sat, 26 Nov 2011 12:12:00 +0000

I'm flying along the tarmac in the Corsa VXR Nurburgring, my foot to the floor. I whip through a double bend, using both sides of the road and skidding slightly before regaining control. Then it's a race up through the gears again until the needle says I'm doing 100mph and it's time to brake for the next corner.

Range Rover remains in a class of its own

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 10:57:00 +0000

With the blanket coverage of the stunning, Scottish Car of the Year Award-winning, Evoque, Land Rover are clearly concerned people will forget they make any other cars.

Review: Ford Mondeo 1.6 EcoBoost Titanium X

Sat, 05 Nov 2011 08:53:00 +0000

The Ford Mondeo is starting to grow a little elderly.

Review: Lexus CT200h

Sat, 17 Sep 2011 14:35:00 +0100

The CT200h takes Lexus — the luxury arm of Toyota — into new territory.

Review: Jaguar XF SE 2.2 diesel

Sat, 03 Sep 2011 10:57:00 +0100

Jaguar have done the sensible thing and put a small(ish) diesel engine into their slick and stylish XF.

Review: Kia Rio

Sat, 27 Aug 2011 09:53:00 +0100

What a way Kia have come.

Review: Mercedes C220 CDi Saloon

Sat, 20 Aug 2011 14:55:00 +0100

A wee whiley back I drove the estate version of the Mercedes C-Class, in 250 CDI format (review here). This time round it's the smaller-engined C220 CDI in saloon guise.

Review: BMW 1-Series

Sat, 06 Aug 2011 18:42:00 +0100

BMW's new 1-Series goes on sale on September 17 priced from £19,375.

Maserati's new GranCabrio Sport has looks and power — for a price

Sat, 06 Aug 2011 16:01:00 +0100

Maserati's stunning drop top, the GranCabrio Sport, goes on sale in October with a price tag to match its looks — £102,615.

Review: Fiat 500

Sat, 06 Aug 2011 15:01:00 +0100

Some of the most stylish and characterful cars on sale right now are modern re-imaginings of old classics.

Mazda Black Edition comes in any colour — unless it's black

Sat, 06 Aug 2011 12:59:00 +0100

Like the AMG Black Series, Mazda's Black Edition MX-5 and Mazda2 do not actually come in the colour black.

Reliability Index survey finds Far Eastern cars more reliable

Sat, 30 Jul 2011 16:27:00 +0100

Japanese and Korean makes are the best bet for used car buyers who value reliability, according to new figures.

Review: Porsche 911 Targa 4S

Sat, 30 Jul 2011 12:10:00 +0100

Porsche's 911 is now in its sixth generation and remains one of the most instantly recognisable cars in the world.

Dundee University team driving up the Formula Student rankings

Sat, 30 Jul 2011 08:31:00 +0100

The drivers may dominate attention, but Formula One would not exist without the designers and engineers who build their cars.

Review: Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer

Sat, 23 Jul 2011 19:27:00 +0100

This is the new Vauxhall Astra estate and it's much, much better than the car it replaced late last year — but then so is virtually all of the opposition, so how does it stack up next to the best of its rivals?

Review: Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi Estate

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 11:40:00 +0100

Ford has grafted some extra metal on to the back of its excellent new Focus, but how has that affected the car's abilities?

Car sales post 5% year-on-year dip in June

Sat, 09 Jul 2011 15:39:00 +0100

New car sales in Scotland fell by 5% last month, new figures have revealed.

Review: Audi A7

Sat, 09 Jul 2011 12:18:00 +0100

What do you do when you've spent the recession bringing out a slew of new models while every other manufacturer has been reining in costs and tightening their belts? Why, bring out yet another new model, of course.

Ennstal-Classic beckons for Honda enthusiast who restored this rusting wreck

Sat, 02 Jul 2011 17:03:00 +0100

A Blairgowrie motor enthusiast has restored a classic car which he will drive more than 800 miles to take part in a rally featuring Sir Stirling Moss.

Review: Mercedes C250 CDI estate

Sat, 02 Jul 2011 15:56:00 +0100

Mercedes-Benz has always been a byword for quality and reliability, but with budget cars better built than ever before the luxury German brands are having to work harder than ever to maintain their lead.

Spirit of Ecstasy meets Spirit of Electricity with the Rolls-Royce Phantom 102EX

Sat, 02 Jul 2011 13:12:00 +0100

Dundee battery manufacturer Axeon has made the power system for the world's first electric Rolls-Royce. As the prototype car embarks on a tour of well-heeled customers around the world, The Courier's Jack McKeown was one of the first journalists to drive the only electric Roller in existence.

Review: VW Passat 2.0 TDi BlueMotion

Sat, 25 Jun 2011 17:32:00 +0100

Volkswagen's Passat Estate is the essence of a dependable car that does almost everything well. It lacks the pizzaz of its smaller sibling the Golf, but still has the VW badge that signifies quality for so many buyers.

Review: Subaru Outback diesel

Sat, 11 Jun 2011 14:51:00 +0100

The Subaru Outback — essentially a Legacy with increased ground clearance — is just the kind of car people in these parts need.

Catching up with land speed record entrepreneur Richard Noble

Sat, 11 Jun 2011 10:15:00 +0100

In 1983, Edinburgh-born Richard Noble brought the land speed record back to Britain. In 1997, ThrustSSC became the first car to break the sound barrier. A week ago, the entrepreneur was the worthy recipient of the prestigious Jim Clark Award. Here he tells Jack McKeown about his latest project — to build the world's first 1000mph car.

Scottish car sales on the up — in contrast to UK picture

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 14:13:00 +0100

New car sales in Scotland bucked the UK trend in May, with a 2.9% increase north of the border contrasting with a decline in sales across the United Kingdom.

Review: Seat Ibiza ST

Sat, 04 Jun 2011 20:08:00 +0100

This is the Seat Ibiza ST, an estate-ish version of the hatchback, and the most important thing you should know about this Ecomotive version is that it does 80.7mpg.

Review: Mazda6 2.2 Diesel Sport

Sat, 28 May 2011 13:13:00 +0100

Mazda's Mondeo rival the 6 received a comprehensive makeover last year, with better styling, new engines and a host of other refinements.

Real head-turners at Scottish Motorshow at Knockhill

Mon, 23 May 2011 15:56:00 +0100

Not even the showers could dampen the turbo-charged atmosphere at the Scottish Motorshow held at Knockhill at the weekend.

Review: Audi A6 2.0 litre TDI

Sat, 21 May 2011 19:09:00 +0100

Audi's latest A6 — the seventh generation — is lighter and more technologically advanced, but it's the refinement and build quality that really impresses.

Review: BMW X3 xDrive 2.0d Auto

Sat, 14 May 2011 19:50:00 +0100

The old X3 was one of the few chinks in BMW's armour. Slightly out of proportion and with a harsher ride than some military vehicles, it was a rare case of the Bavarian manufacturer messing things up.

Review: Hyundai iX20

Sat, 07 May 2011 11:48:00 +0100

Over the past few years South Korean sister companies Kia and Hyundai have been engaged in a rapid ramping up of their cars' quality. No longer cheap but rattly runarounds, vehicles such as Kia's Sportage and Hyundai's ix35 can now mix it with the best in terms of syle, quality and driving dynamics, while undercutting the opposition on price.

Review: Kia Sportage 1.7 CRDi

Sat, 30 Apr 2011 19:44:00 +0100

Kia's Sportage was a worthy Scottish Car of the Year 2010 winner. Last autumn, I drove the first version to arrive in the UK, which was the 2.0 litre diesel four-wheel drive model.

Review: Lexus IS 250C

Sat, 23 Apr 2011 12:50:00 +0100

The IS 250C is definitively a car for grown-ups. Its handsome but understated styling, comfort-over-performance driving dynamic and elegant interior all seem designed specifically for the over-50s.

Motor industry turns over a new Leaf as electric car takes top award

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 18:21:00 +0100

Nissan's all-electric Leaf has been named World Car of the Year.

Review: Honda Jazz

Sat, 16 Apr 2011 19:32:00 +0100

You might not know it but you're looking at the best-selling Honda in the UK.

Review: Mazda 5

Sat, 09 Apr 2011 20:21:00 +0100

Mazda's 5 has always been one of the better-looking people carriers. Its basic van-like shape is disguised with a sharp, wedge shape, lots of stylish little design touches and smart alloy wheels.

Wheels of industry — the Scots firms involved in the early days of motoring

Sat, 09 Apr 2011 13:49:00 +0100

Over a century ago, Scotland was dotted with small engineering firms experimenting in a brand-new industry — motor manufacturing. Brian Townsend takes a drive down memory lane, looking at the firms involved in the early days of an exciting new era of transport.

Review: Renault Megane CC

Sat, 02 Apr 2011 11:06:00 +0100

Spring has sprung, and it seems we've finally put this long harsh winter behind us. So it's probably not a bad time to start road testing convertibles once more.

Review: Ford Focus 1.6L Edge

Sat, 26 Mar 2011 15:50:00 +0000

The 2011 Focus is the most important car Ford have launched for quite some time.

Review: VW Touareg 3.0 litre V6 TDI SE

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 11:28:00 +0000

Normally when I test cars I try to drive them in a variety of conditions. I'll take them around town, cruising on motorways and along country roads. The VW Touareg got all this, and then some.

Review: Audi A1 1.6 TDI Sport

Sat, 12 Mar 2011 13:15:00 +0000

Not very long ago a car like the Audi A1 would have seemed faintly absurd. A supermini based on the humble VW Polo that starts at well over £13,000 and can cost more than £20,000 would not have been high on anyone's shopping list.

Review: Alfa Romeo Giulietta

Sat, 05 Mar 2011 18:36:00 +0000

Few car manufacturers have as enviable a reputation, pedigree and history as Alfa Romeo. As a car reviewer, I always look forward to the next Alfa with a measure of anticipation.

Hyundai i40 is new Mondeo rival

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 19:43:00 +0000

This is our first look at the i40, Hyundai's new Mondeo rival. The South Korean car maker is taking the slightly unusual step of releasing the estate version first - it'll go on sale in July - with a saloon model following later in the year.

Mercedes enters new age with C-Class Coupe

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 21:51:00 +0000

Mercedes is hoping to entice younger buyers with the new C-Class Coupe. Premiering at next month's Geneva Motor Show, the elegant four-seater will go on sale in June.

Porsche Panamera goes electric

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 20:45:00 +0000

Porsche's four-door Panamera will soon be available in hybrid form.

Latest Kia is the Rio deal

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 15:40:00 +0000

There's a good reason why European manufacturers are fearful of the rise and rise of South Korea's car industry, and the latest Kia Rio shows why.

Review: Jaguar XJ Premium Luxury

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 11:28:00 +0000

I'm not clear if it's a sign of elegant refinement or just hubris, but the £59,000 Premium Luxury model I tested is actually only the second most expensive in the XJ range. If you want the last word in XJ luxury, you have to go for the £62,000 Portfolio model.

Review: Vauxhall Antara

Sat, 19 Feb 2011 21:03:00 +0000

Vauxhall's Antara has failed to capture the car buying public's imagination since it went on sale in 2007. Always regarded as one of the weak rungs in the manufacturer's range, Vauxhall struggled to shift 1000 of the things per year. So it's no bad thing that they've drastically overhauled the unsuccessful model.

McLaren confirms MP4-12C's breathtaking stats

Wed, 16 Feb 2011 22:48:00 +0000

McLaren has revealed performance details for its hotly anticipated but clunkily named MP4-12C supercar.

John Clark Motor Group opens Skoda dealership in Dundee

Tue, 15 Feb 2011 19:23:00 +0000

Dundee's new Skoda dealership officially opened its doors on Monday, eight months after the demise of the previous franchise.

January to forget for Scottish motor trade

Tue, 15 Feb 2011 16:32:00 +0000

The Scottish car market got off to a bad start in 2011. Figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show new car sales in Scotland were down 13% last month, with 9694 new registrations compared to 11,135 in January 2010.

Review: Mini Countryman Cooper S ALL4

Sat, 12 Feb 2011 19:23:00 +0000

The new Mini has been an unmitigated success. People love its cheeky looks, cheerfully modernised from its classic forebear, along with its go-kart handling and the perceived build quality that comes with being part of the BMW brand.

Volkswagen's XL1 is a vision of a hyper-economical future

Sat, 05 Feb 2011 20:11:00 +0000

It covers more than 300 miles per gallon and emits just 24g/km of CO2 but you can't buy it ... yet.

Are electric cars about to ride to the rescue of motorists?

Sat, 05 Feb 2011 16:37:00 +0000

As The Courier's Fight For Fairer Fuel petition breaks the 5000-name barrier, our motoring editor Jack McKeown looks at the growing demand for electric cars and explores whether they can ever replace the internal combustion engine.

Review: Honda CR-Z Sport

Sat, 05 Feb 2011 13:11:00 +0000

Honda's CR-Z should be an admirable car. It's the first hybrid-powered coupe (apart from the original Insight in the 80s, which sold in tiny numbers), and it taps into an ethos that I like: why shouldn't people be able to own a car that's sporty and environmentally friendly?

Mazda 5 gets a diesel engine

Sat, 29 Jan 2011 19:21:00 +0000

A few months after its launch, the new generation Mazda 5 people carrier gets a diesel engine.

Geneva outing for Saab's new 9-5 SportWagon

Sat, 29 Jan 2011 17:23:00 +0000

Saab's rise from the ashes continues with the unveiling of the 9-5 SportWagon.

Review: VW Scirocco R

Sat, 29 Jan 2011 12:09:00 +0000

When Volkswagen decide to revive an old classic, they usually do it quite well. The new Beetle was warmly received and the new Scirocco has, if anything, eclipsed its stablemate's success.

Third time's the charm for the Mercedes SLK Roadster

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 16:17:00 +0000

Mercedes are releasing what will be only the third version of the SLK Roadster.

Land Rover's limited edition Defender X-Tech ready for all weathers

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 12:07:00 +0000

The organic soup-swilling hippies who rail against 'petrol-guzzling 4x4s' were left looking a little silly when their flimsy eco-cars had to be rescued from the snow by the very planet-killing vehicles they've set their bearded faces against.

Review: Infiniti EX

Sat, 22 Jan 2011 19:19:00 +0000

Infiniti is to Nissan what Lexus is to Toyota — the luxury arm of a large mainstream manufacturer. But, while Lexus is a household name over here, Infiniti is the new kid on the block.

Peugeot 508 to take on the might of Ford and Vauxhall

Sun, 16 Jan 2011 14:22:00 +0000

Peugeot's big 508 saloon will cost from £18,150 when it goes on sale in April. The replacement for the 407 will go head to head against the Ford Mondeo and Vauxhall Insignia.

Review: Suzuki Swift 1.2

Sat, 15 Jan 2011 16:36:00 +0000

As a maker of reasonably competent cars that sell in moderate numbers, Suzuki is not a manufacturer that has generally troubled the thoughts of those who dish out car awards.

December a lean month for car sales across Scotland

Wed, 12 Jan 2011 20:31:00 +0000

December was a pretty awful month for Scotland's car industry.

Range Rover Evoque leads the pack of 2011's new releases

Sun, 09 Jan 2011 13:09:00 +0000

We'll have to wait until August for probably the most anticipated car of the year, the Range Rover Evoque.

Review: Volvo S60

Sat, 08 Jan 2011 16:29:00 +0000

I had my first drive of Volvo's handsome S60 in October, when the sun was still shining and all was well with the world

Mercedes' new C-Class full of goodies for 2011

Sun, 02 Jan 2011 14:14:00 +0000

The 2011 Mercedes Benz C-Class isn't an all-new car, but it has been heavily revised. There's reworked styling, a weight-saving aluminium bonnet, a more streamlined shape and revised engines with more power and better fuel economy.

Review: Audi A5 Sportback

Sun, 02 Jan 2011 11:42:00 +0000

For those of you unfamiliar with Audi's A5, it's a coupe that manages to be fabulously pretty in a grown-up way — low key and unostentatious.

Which? calls for braking distances to be published

Sat, 01 Jan 2011 19:33:00 +0000

Consumer watchdog Which? has called for manufacturers to publish the average braking distance of their cars.

Call to ensure that variable road signs give the right message

Wed, 29 Dec 2010 15:16:00 +0000

Variable message boards on roads across the country must be used better in severe weather, according to a politician.

Ford Focus ready to roll out from March

Sun, 26 Dec 2010 16:02:00 +0000

The new Ford Focus will cost just under £16,000 when it goes on sale in March. Initially, it will be available as a five-door hatch only, with a bigger estate version arriving in September.

Review: BMW X3

Sat, 25 Dec 2010 20:20:00 +0000

The old X3 was a rare case of BMW making a car that was unspectacular, so when John Clark BMW in Dundee loaned me the all-new version for the weekend, I was keen to see just how far the improvements went.

Updated Vauxhall Antara comes with new looks and lower price

Tue, 14 Dec 2010 19:47:00 +0000

Vauxhall has facelifted its Antara — and dropped the price by £3000. Now costing under £20,000, the car gets a new nose, with an updated front grille that incorporates the new Vauxhall logo.

Review: Audi Q7

Tue, 07 Dec 2010 20:18:00 +0000

It's been a couple of years since I've driven one, so I'd forgotten just how big Audi's Q7 is. It's like piloting a small island.

AA issues advice for motorists heading back out on to the roads

Tue, 07 Dec 2010 14:18:00 +0000

Snow and ice present enough difficulties for drivers but, as the freeze continues, motorists are being made aware of another problem.

Review: Ford Galaxy Titanium X

Sat, 27 Nov 2010 15:32:00 +0000

I'm driving up the A9 to Aviemore in the dark and rain. There's five of us in the car, and a ton of luggage and food in the boot to see us through a weekend away. Sat high up, I've got a good view of oncoming traffic and thanks to the heated seats, I'm feeling quite cosy.

Review: Renault Kangoo

Sun, 21 Nov 2010 13:26:00 +0000

About to rush out of the door? Then I will keep this brief — the Renault Kangoo is very ugly but very practical. For those with time to sit down and read the next 500 words, here goes...

Special Fabia vRS S2000 to mark Skoda's rally triumph

Sat, 20 Nov 2010 22:06:00 +0000

A special-edition Skoda Fabia is being launched to celebrate the company's dominance of this year's Intercontinental Rally Challenge.

Barnetts celebrates Mazda milestone

Sat, 20 Nov 2010 19:15:00 +0000

Dundee car sales company Barnetts has celebrated its 30th anniversary as the city's Mazda dealer.

Range Rover confirms five-door Evoque

Sat, 20 Nov 2010 14:09:00 +0000

Range Rover's fascinating new Evoque will also come in a five-door version, the company has revealed.

SUV market in Ssangyong sights

Sat, 20 Nov 2010 12:11:00 +0000

SsangYong, the least well-known and most oddly named of the Korean manufacturers doing business over here, are to release a mid-size SUV to take on the Ford Kuga, Nissan Qashqai and Volkswagen Tiguan.

Los Angeles showcase for Nissan's Murano CrossCabriolet

Wed, 17 Nov 2010 20:17:00 +0000

By cutting the roof off the Murano, Nissan have developed the world's first four-wheel-drive crossover convertible.

Hyundai franchise added to Arnold Clark dealership

Wed, 17 Nov 2010 16:22:00 +0000

Car dealer Arnold Clark has been awarded a Hyundai franchise and will add it to the company's existing Renault dealership at its Kingsway East premises in Dundee.

BMW confirms hybrid sports car

Wed, 17 Nov 2010 08:24:00 +0000

BMW has confirmed it will produce a plug-in hybrid sports car based on the Vision EfficientDynamics concept showcased at last year's Frankfurt Motor Show.

The mean and moody Jaguar XF

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 18:26:00 +0000

For those who like their Jaguars mean 'n' moody, there's a new Black Pack for the XF saloon.

Lexus CT 200h hybrid will take plenty of your green stuff

Sat, 13 Nov 2010 12:51:00 +0000

Lexus has revealed prices for its new CT 200h hybrid, the CT200h. And while the Audi A3 rival may be one of the greenest cars in its class, it's not going to be cheap.

October car sales figures paint worrying picture

Sat, 13 Nov 2010 10:53:00 +0000

The Scottish car industry is still far from back to full health. Figures released by the Society of Manufacturers and Traders reveal October was another month where sales were well down on last year.

Review: Audi A3 Sportback

Fri, 12 Nov 2010 21:18:00 +0000

It's been a long time since I've driven an A3, so, when Dundee Audi offered me a spin in one, I jumped at the chance.

Hyundai offers options on new ix20

Wed, 10 Nov 2010 21:36:00 +0000

Hyundai's new ix20 mini-MPV goes on sale this November, with prices starting at £11,595.

Volkswagen boots up new Jetta

Wed, 10 Nov 2010 18:12:00 +0000

Volkswagen have unveiled their new Jetta, which will go on sale in early 2011.

Revised Renault Espace ready to arrive

Wed, 10 Nov 2010 10:58:00 +0000

The revised Renault Espace will be available for order from Monday, with prices ranging from £24,495-£28,495.

Review: Skoda Superb Estate

Tue, 09 Nov 2010 17:55:00 +0000

The Skoda Superb Estate makes most large estate cars — and not a few luxury saloons — look a bit unnecessary.

Kia Sportage named Scottish Car of the Year

Mon, 08 Nov 2010 14:15:00 +0000

Kia Sportage has been named Scottish Car of the Year at an awards ceremony in St Andrews.

Saab's spike in fortunes looks set to continue with 9-4X

Tue, 02 Nov 2010 21:29:00 +0000

Saab continues its remarkable comeback from the brink with news that it's to release a Freelander and BMW X3 rival.

Renault cuts prices with latest Laguna

Tue, 02 Nov 2010 17:23:00 +0000

The 2011 Renault Laguna is available to order now and costs from £17,795 — a reduction of £1855 on the previous entry-level model.

Review: Peugeot RCZ

Mon, 01 Nov 2010 21:43:00 +0000

I was giving a talk to the nice gentlemen at Abertay Probus Club — life of a motoring journalist and all that — and a few of them stopped to admire the Peugeot RCZ on our way out.

New VW Passat is exactly that

Mon, 25 Oct 2010 21:51:00 +0100

The seventh generation Passat will start at £18,470 for the saloon and £19,745 for the estate.

Review: Volvo S60 D5 SE Lux Geartronic

Sat, 23 Oct 2010 18:31:00 +0100

What do we have here? A sexy Volvo. The Swedish car manufacturer has always been famed for safety, but sometimes this extended to the safety of its styling — nice, unadventurous box shapes.

Review: Kia Venga

Thu, 21 Oct 2010 16:35:00 +0100

Kia have gone from strength to strength in recent years, and I no longer receive the keys to one with a clenched jaw and stoic heart.

Jaguar's electric C-X75 a real beauty

Sun, 10 Oct 2010 19:47:00 +0100

This is Jaguar's latest supercar, and it's electric!

Review: Ford S-Max

Sun, 10 Oct 2010 11:31:00 +0100

Ford has earned a reputation for creating people carriers that are more fun to drive than many of their competitors, and the 2010 version of the S-Max is no exception.

Still going strong after 40 years — the Volkswagen Passat

Fri, 08 Oct 2010 16:32:00 +0100

It's been around for nearly 40 years, sold over 15 million units and shows no sign of falling out of favour with either the public or its maker. The seventh generation Volkswagen Passat was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show late last week.

Lexus CT 200h green but not the greenest

Sun, 26 Sep 2010 20:13:00 +0100

Lexus's new hybrid small family hatch will emit just 96g/km, making it road tax and congestion charge exempt.

Review: Peugeot 5008

Sun, 26 Sep 2010 12:39:00 +0100

There comes a time in every man's life when he has to hand back the keys to his coupe or hot hatch and drive away in a lugubrious, unfashionable people carrier.

Contract deals offered on Peugeot iOn

Fri, 24 Sep 2010 15:44:15 +0100

The electric revolution is beginning. It's still in its infancy but, slowly yet surely, more and more models are beginning to trickle on to the market.

New engine option for Audi R8 Spyder

Tue, 21 Sep 2010 06:07:00 +0100

Audi's stunning R8 Spyder convertible, hitherto only available with a 5.0 litre V10 engine, is now available with the smaller — but still very, very powerful — 4.2 litre V8 engine familiar from the hard-top R8 and RS4.

Review: BMW 5 Series

Mon, 20 Sep 2010 20:26:00 +0100

What have BMW been putting in their engineers' tea? Each new generation of car seems to stretch the company's technical lead over their rivals even further.

Ford confirms price of new C-Max models

Fri, 17 Sep 2010 06:08:00 +0100

Ford's new C-Max will cost from £16,745 when it goes on sale next month.

Review: Citroen DS3

Thu, 16 Sep 2010 18:31:00 +0100

This, ladies and gentlemen, is the DS3, the best Citroen I've driven in a long, long time, possibly ever.

Scottish motor trade cools its wheels in August

Sat, 11 Sep 2010 13:52:00 +0100

August was not a great month for new car sales in Scotland. Sales were down almost 20% over the same month last year, according to figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

Countryman: for those who like their Mini a little bit bigger

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 14:15:00 +0100

A glance out of the window today reveals just why four-wheel drives are so popular in Scotland. It's like Mordor out there. Fitting, then, that one of the more unusual all-wheelers to be released in a while goes on sale next Saturday.

New Suzuki Swift on sale now

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 13:01:00 +0100

The new Suzuki Swift went on sale this week, with a starting price of just under £10,000.

RX-8 chance won't come round again

Sat, 04 Sep 2010 21:37:00 +0100

If you want a Mazda RX-8, act fast — production of the rotary-engined four-door coupe has come to an end and less than 100 examples remain in the UK.

Ford Mondeo updated, inside and out

Sat, 04 Sep 2010 11:18:00 +0100

Ford has updated its fine Mondeo, making it smarter-looking inside and out, bringing in new technology and introducing two new engines.

Police find refusal to wear seatbelts 'almost unbelievable'

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 15:17:00 +0100

A Tayside traffic policeman fears safety messages are not getting through after a day of police action found drivers in Tayside and Fife still not wearing seatbelts.

VIDEO: round Knockhill with British Touring Car driver Gordon Shedden

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 19:20:00 +0100

The eighth round of the British Touring Car Championships takes place at Knockhill this weekend. Ahead of the action, local BTCC star Gordon Shedden took Jack McKeown for a flying lap around the Fife racetrack.

Review: Jaguar XJ

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:46:00 +0100

Jaguar brought its latest big cat up to Scotland last week. The new XJ has been causing shockwaves in the luxury car market, not least for its radical departure from the tried and tested lines of yesteryear's flagship Jaguar saloon.

Tyre pressure survey shames Dundee drivers

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:46:00 +0100

Dundee motorists have been named and shamed for neglecting their tyre pressures, following a study of more than 4500 vehicles around the UK.

Disturbing findings in car maintenance investigation

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:42:00 +0100

Almost 90% of garages miss at least one fault, a disturbing undercover study by Which? has found.

Review: Chevrolet Spark

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 11:26:00 +0100

When I drove it for a day back in the spring, Chevrolet's Spark impressed me with its value and styling, but I couldn't get enthusiastic about the driving experience.

Review: Honda CR-V EX

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 20:07:00 +0100

Honda's 'soft roader' the CR-V was facelifted for 2010. Already quite a handsome vehicle, Honda have used a light touch, making just a few aesthetic modifications.

Scrappage scheme effect shown in July car sales figures

Sat, 21 Aug 2010 13:32:00 +0100

July's new car sales in Scotland were down nearly 10% on the same month last year.

Ford Transit celebrating 45 years — and still going strong

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 20:47:00 +0100

Congratulations to the Ford Transit, which is 45 years old this month.

Nissan's new-style X-Trail looking promising

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 18:18:00 +0100

Nissan's popular and capable X-Trail has been overhauled. Going on sale in October, the updated car gets fresh styling, better interior comfort and quality and improvements to its diesel engine.

Hyundai take a step forward with ix35

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 21:07:00 +0100

Hyundai and Kia, South Korea's two major car makers, are on something of a roll at the moment.

Squeezing into a niche with the Audi A7 Sportback

Sat, 07 Aug 2010 06:25:00 +0100

Audi is hoping its plush A7 Sportback will take sales from Mercedes' CLS and BMW's more practical 5 Series GT.

Get in line for the (almost) £30,000 Fiat Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 22:45:00 +0100

A £30,000 Fiat 500? Yes, you did read that correctly. The Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari will cost £29,600 — a pretty big mark-up on a car that starts at under £9500.

Vauxhall offering more Astra for less cash

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 22:00:00 +0100

Vauxhall are knocking £500 off the start price of the new Astra Sports Tourer.

Review: Land Rover Discovery 4

Sun, 01 Aug 2010 10:45:00 +0100

Sometimes you look at an expensive car and wonder where the money went. Quite often the cash is under the bonnet, in the form of a powerful engine. Other times it's inside, in the form of expensive gadgets and luxurious trim. With the Discovery 4 it's in both these places, but it's also staring you straight in the face.

Nissan adds diesel to Murano options

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 17:59:00 +0100

Nissan have finally given the Murano the card that was missing from its deck — a diesel. I've long been fond of the blingy, extroverted SUV, but could never bring myself to fully recommend it given the 3.5 litre V6 only returned around 23mpg.

UK premiere for Infiniti's M line

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 22:40:00 +0100

Infiniti's first M Line saloons have arrived in the UK, with prices for the petrol-powered M37 starting at £35,150.

Introducing the Peugeot 308 GT THP 200

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 21:46:00 +0100

Peugeot is celebrating its 200th anniversary with a 200hp hot hatch version of the 308.

Review: Fiat Punto Evo 1.4 MultiAir GP

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 21:00:00 +0100

Fiat's on a bit of a roll at the moment, with the universally popular 500 and the resurgence of the sporting Abarth wing of the company.

More for less with new BMW X3

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 13:51:00 +0100

Here is BMW's new X3, which will be cheaper and better equipped than the outgoing model.

Raffle winner Andrew Grant Beetles off with mint condition classic

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 07:35:00 +0100

The last act of this year's Scottish Transport Extravaganza has played itself out near Glamis, with one lucky winner driving off with a classic car.

Kia Sportage released on August 1

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 21:03:00 +0100

Although the full range won't go on sale until late in the year, Kia is releasing a version of its new Sportage SUV at the start of next month.

Review: Alfa Romeo MiTo MultiAir

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 17:51:00 +0100

The car market has changed beyond belief over the past decade, partly due to changes in society. People are getting married and having kids later (or not at all), and, as a result, they have more money and less need for a big Mondeo or even Focus-sized barge. Hence cars like the MINI and this, the Alfa Romeo MiTo.

Scots car sales at odds with UK recovery

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 16:44:00 +0100

New car sales in Scotland dropped by 6% last month, despite the UK market as a whole growing by 12.5%.

Volvo V60 sizes up demand for coupe-like estate

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 19:01:00 +0100

Volvo has sacrificed a modicum of practicality to come up with one of
the most handsome estate cars on the market.

Peugeot reveals the 508

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 15:27:00 +0100

Peugeot has taken the wraps off the 508 — the handsome Mondeo rival that will go on sale early next year.

Busy month for Abarth

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 18:39:00 +0100

Abarth, the sporting arm of Fiat, has two new numbers coming up this month.

Revised Mercedes CL-Class on sale in September

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 19:16:00 +0100

Mercedes' facelifted CL-Class coupe will go on sale in September, three years after the car's introduction.

Baby Range Rover to be called Evoque

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 17:52:00 +0100

The wraps have finally come off the hotly-anticipated compact Range Rover, as the company announced its latest and boldest car will be called the Evoque.

Review: Kia cee'd

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 21:52:00 +0100

Kia gave their oddly titled cee'd a mid-life facelift at the tail end of last year in a bid to take it more upmarket. Or more midmarket, to be precise — it's no Golf inside. But then, with prices starting at £12,595, it doesn't have to be.

Seat's Good Stuff for singer Shakira

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 08:09:00 +0100

Seat's sponsorship of the Colombian pop goddess Shakira even extends to naming a car after one of her songs.

Turbo diesel Mini roars into view

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 19:35:00 +0100

The ever-popular Mini gets an update later this year, with the headline news being the introduction of a new turbo diesel engine.

Aston Martin DB9 gets even better

Mon, 05 Jul 2010 16:53:00 +0100

Aston Martin's elegant DB9 has been given its most significant range of upgrades since it was launched in 2003.

Review: Mazda CX-7

Sat, 03 Jul 2010 19:48:00 +0100

A couple of years ago I reviewed the Mazda CX-7 and praised it to the high heavens, with one rather major caveat — there was no diesel option.

Sharper look for new VW Jetta

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 13:14:00 +0100

Volkswagen have unveiled their new Jetta, which goes on sale in the UK next spring.

New Volkswagen Touareg is longer but lighter

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 20:15:00 +0100

Volkswagen's new Touareg will cost from £38,255 when it goes on sale in October.

A revealing drive in a Citroen C3

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 08:35:00 +0100

Citroen have always made cars that are a little bit different and the new C3 is, well, no different. Elegant and far more attractive than the model it replaced in January, its most distinctive feature (and one of its best) is the panoramic windscreen.

Engine trouble ends Chris Rea's Knockhill hopes

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 17:01:00 +0100

Rock star Chris Rea's engine blew up at the weekend, casting the one shadow on an otherwise successful 2010 Scottish Speedfair and Classic Festival in Fife.

Corsa is Dundee car thieves' vehicle of choice

Sat, 26 Jun 2010 09:23:00 +0100

The humble Vauxhall Corsa is the top target for car thieves in Dundee, police revealed this week.

Ferrari fan Chris Rea to race to Scottish SpeedFair

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 11:00:00 +0100

Musician Chris Rea won't be taking the road to hell at the weekend when he is set to draw the crowds to Knockhill.

Diesel model for popular Vauxhall Insignia

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 20:01:00 +0100

Pleasantly surprised by the success of all-wheel drive versions of the Insignia, Vauxhall is expanding the range to include a diesel 4x4 model.

Suzuki release shots of new Swift

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 20:29:00 +0100

Suzuki have released the first images of the new Swift, which goes on sale in the autumn.

Review: Mazda 3 MPS

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 19:39:00 +0100

With a whopping 256bhp, Mazda's 3 MPS is the most powerful hot hatch this side of the Ford Focus RS — which costs nearly £6000 more.

Citroen C4 has laser focus on economy

Sat, 19 Jun 2010 09:03:00 +0100

Citroen's new C4 is to go on sale early next year. The Ford Focus and VW Golf rival will bring a high-tech cabin and much improved fuel economy and CO2 emissions to the fray.

Barnetts Riverside holds night to sing about

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 20:03:00 +0100

Around 700 guests packed a Dundee car showroom for a gig with a difference as they celebrated the continuing success of the Barnetts dealership on Riverside, Dundee.

Renault Latitude may not reach this longitude

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 11:05:00 +0100

Renault have unveiled their new upmarket saloon, the Latitude, but there's a big question mark over whether we'll get it in the UK.

Review: Audi A5 Cabriolet

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 10:49:00 +0100

Ever since Princess Diana had one, drop-top Audis have occupied a special place in the hearts and minds of convertible buyers.

Fife a star performer in May car sales figures

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 12:19:00 +0100

May saw a modest rise in Scottish new car sales, with 12,741 registered in Scotland last month — up 2% from May 2009.

Former owner reunited with Moggy the Morris Minor

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 11:17:00 +0100

A 1969 Morris Minor which will be a star attraction at this weekend's annual Festival of Historic Transport event has had a chance reunion with a former owner.

Seat Leon Ecomotive stretches a gallon

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 14:07:37 +0100

Seat's new Leon Ecomotive emits a VED-exempt 99g/km of CO2 and stretches a gallon of fuel to 74.3 miles.

Review: Mazda 6

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 18:25:00 +0100

Mazda has given its popular 6 a midlife makeover. At first glance it doesn't appear much different, but in fact more than 400 changes have gone on.

Volvo and Mini impress with eco-friendly electric offerings

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 17:41:00 +0100

Recently I visited Millbrook proving ground in Bedfordshire, where all the major car manufacturers line up their latest products for test drives on over 30 miles of private roads. Among the most intriguing offerings were electric cars by Mini and Volvo.

Subaru Cosworth Impreza to roar off the forecourts

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 15:47:00 +0100

Subaru has confirmed pricing for its marvellously bonkers Cosworth Impreza STI 400.

Home sweet home for Strathmore Vintage Vehicle Club

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 09:51:00 +0100

The old railway station at Glamis has ushered in a new era for the group behind Scotland's biggest annual gathering of vintage vehicles.

Nissan Juke will lead from the front

Wed, 02 Jun 2010 18:47:00 +0100

Nissan's Juke will cost from £12,795 when it goes on sale in September. Sitting underneath the Murano and Qashqai in Nissan's crossover family, the funky little Juke will be almost exclusively front-wheel drive, with only the top-of-the-range version getting four driven wheels.

Enthusiasts gather in St Andrews for a Triumph Stag do

Wed, 02 Jun 2010 12:52:00 +0100

St Andrews has hosted members of the Stag Owners Club (SOC) who are helping commemorate 40 years of iconic car the Triumph Stag.

Golf Match offers better value

Wed, 02 Jun 2010 12:10:13 +0100

Volkswagen is adding a new model to its Golf range that offers better value for money. The Golf Match replaces the SE model and has £1600 of extra equipment, but costs just £300 more.

Review: Mini Cooper Mayfair

Fri, 28 May 2010 20:42:00 +0100

While driving Peugeot's new RCZ recently, I lamented that its plain-Jane interior didn't match its pretty external shape. What car does, countered a motoring press colleague. After humming and hawing, we could only come up with Jaguar's splendid but pricey XF. Both of us overlooked the Mini.

'Watt Car' report outlines electric target

Thu, 27 May 2010 21:36:00 +0100

One in 10 cars on Scotland's roads should be electric if we're to meet our climate change targets, according to a report by WWF Scotland.

Toyota Auris hybrid prices revealed

Wed, 26 May 2010 19:15:00 +0100

Toyota's Auris hybrid will cost from £18,950 when it goes on sale at the start of July.

Motorcyclist Derek Glass still leading pack at 50

Wed, 26 May 2010 13:43:00 +0100

A Kirriemuir motorcycle racer has celebrated his 50th birthday with wins in the first two meetings of the 2010 season.

Grants bring down cost of Nissan Leaf

Tue, 25 May 2010 19:55:00 +0100

Nissan's electric car, the Leaf, will effectively cost £23,350 when it goes on sale next February.

Review: Peugeot RCZ

Tue, 25 May 2010 10:42:00 +0100

Not since the run-up to Audi's TT over a decade ago have I witnessed such enthusiasm for a mid-market coupe. Everyone who saw pictures of Peugeot's RCZ was bowled over by it — and I can confirm it's just as pretty in the flesh.

BMW M3 GTS takes power to a new level

Mon, 24 May 2010 15:38:00 +0100

BMW is to release an even more powerful version of its coveted M3.

Trade still performing well after scrappage scheme

Mon, 24 May 2010 11:01:00 +0100

The ending of the scrappage scheme has slowed but not halted the increase in new car sales.

Crowds flock to knock-out Knockhill

Mon, 24 May 2010 10:46:00 +0100

The warm weather brought the crowds out in force at Knockhill for what was hailed as "the best" motorshows in recent years.

Mitsubishi ASX seeks piece of crossover action

Mon, 24 May 2010 08:48:00 +0100

Nissan really started something when they launched the Qashqai back in 2007.

Audi now taking A1 orders

Tue, 18 May 2010 20:47:00 +0100

Audi's foray into the small car market — the A1 — is available to order now, with first deliveries due to begin towards the end of the year.

Audi playing power games with R8 GT

Fri, 14 May 2010 21:33:00 +0100

Audi has taken the already spectacular R8 and packed yet more horsepower into its latest release — the GT.

Review: Vauxhall Meriva

Thu, 13 May 2010 13:35:23 +0100

The latest Vauxhall Meriva is unusual in that it's not an update of an old model, but an entirely new car that's competing in a completely different market to the one it replaces.

Alfa Romeo's Giulietta turns on the style

Sun, 09 May 2010 17:32:00 +0100

Alfa Romeo's stylish Giulietta will cost from £16,995 when it goes on sale in the summer.

Match joins Tiguan range

Sun, 09 May 2010 12:53:00 +0100

Volkswagen is launching a new model in its Tiguan range.

Plenty to play with in Chevrolet's Captiva

Sat, 08 May 2010 15:10:00 +0100

Chevrolet has released a new range-topping version of its Captiva SUV.

Bike fans' generosity for young star Ciara

Thu, 06 May 2010 07:45:00 +0100

Dundee motorbike fans have raised almost £1000 to fund the rest of the season's entry fees for an eight-year-old Angus girl who has caused a stir in Scottish motocross circles.

Review: Aston Martin Rapide

Wed, 05 May 2010 22:51:00 +0100

The Rapide is Aston Martin's first foray into four-door territory since the Lagonda of the 1970s. It's an unqualified success.

Attack of the clones costs garage owner £12,000

Mon, 03 May 2010 08:16:58 +0100

A Dundee businessman who lost £12,000 in a stolen car cloning scam has warned others to be vigilant when buying a new vehicle.

Legendary G-Class coming in October

Sun, 02 May 2010 17:51:55 +0100

After a 10-year absence, Mercedes' G-Class is making a return to British roads.

Seat releases Alhambra details

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 19:10:00 +0100

Seat has released details of its new Alhambra people carrier.

New Mitsubishi Outlander touches down

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 08:30:00 +0100

Mitsubishi's revised Outlander will cost from £25,999 when it goes on sale at the start of July.

Review: Saab 9-3X

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 18:33:00 +0100

Poor old Saab. The once iconic company has been passed from pillar to post over the last wee while.

Green light to reserve Renault's electric offerings

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 21:45:00 +0100

Those keen to be early adopters of the latest, greenest cars should head along to Renault's website where they can reserve one of the first ZE (Zero Emissions) electric vehicles.

New Audi Q7 packed with choice

Sun, 25 Apr 2010 16:28:00 +0100

The latest version of Audi's big Q7 is available to order now with a range of new engines and transmissions.

Volvo's S60 looks a handsome choice

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 08:02:00 +0100

Volvo's big S60 will cost from £23,295 when it goes on sale in July.

Review: Seat Ibiza Cupra Bocanegra

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 15:48:08 +0100

After spending time creating five-door versions of the Ibiza, eco cars and basically doing everything but develop the sporty cars the brand is known for, Seat has finally gone back to its roots.

Audi updates an icon

Sun, 18 Apr 2010 15:54:00 +0100

Audi has run a feather duster over its iconic TT, adding some styling touches and extra equipment, and making engines more powerful and efficient.

Review: Renault Grand Scenic 1.9 dCi Dynamique

Sun, 18 Apr 2010 14:28:00 +0100

Given Renault's long history in the market it's no surprise that the Grand Scenic is one of the best mid-sized MPVs.

Encouraging signs in latest sales figures

Sat, 17 Apr 2010 18:34:00 +0100

The Scottish car industry continued its climb out of the abyss last month, with sales up by more than 15%.

New Touran unveiled in Leipzig

Sat, 17 Apr 2010 11:36:00 +0100

The latest Volkswagen Touran has been unveiled at the Leipzig Motor Show in Germany.

High five for refreshed Passat CC

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 15:21:00 +0100

Volkswagen's sleek saloon-in-disguise, the Passat CC, has been given a mid-life makeover.

Kia opts to turn on the style

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 07:53:00 +0100

The humdrum Kia Magentis is being replaced by something a lot more stylish.

Polo adds world crown to roll of honour

Thu, 08 Apr 2010 16:41:25 +0100

Volkswagen's new Polo has been crowned 2010 World Car of the Year.

Mercedes R-evamp the R-Class

Thu, 08 Apr 2010 16:33:00 +0100

Mercedes have taken a fresh look at the big R-Class in a bid to improve its fortunes.

Surely only a prat would fall for these

Thu, 08 Apr 2010 12:05:00 +0100

Last week, our motoring editor's inbox was even more flooded than usual, with manufacturers sending increasingly outlandish and unlikely April Fools press releases.

Review: Chevrolet Spark 1.0+

Thu, 08 Apr 2010 07:47:00 +0100

The Chevrolet Spark might seem to stand little chance of making an impact in the busy city car sector — but it has some tricks up its sleeve.

Saab hits back with new 9-5

Sat, 03 Apr 2010 12:14:00 +0100

Recently-troubled Swedish car maker Saab's new 9-5 will cost from £26,495 to £37,995 when it hits UK showrooms in the summer.

Life in fast lane with Crail karters

Sat, 03 Apr 2010 09:53:00 +0100

For one weekend every month racers from across the country descend on a secluded corner of Fife's East Neuk to battle it out in the Scottish
Prokart Championship. Craig McManamon joined them.

Seat's powerhouse hits sales floor

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 09:17:00 +0100

The most powerful production car Seat have ever produced arrives in showrooms today.

Review: Porsche Panamera 4S

Wed, 31 Mar 2010 15:35:00 +0100

The Panamera is Porsche's first foray into the realm of four-door sport cars -- and while it's a gamble, it's a gamble that pays off.

Ford Focus RS500 unleashed

Wed, 31 Mar 2010 11:36:00 +0100

Fans of fast Fords can buy the ultimate Focus when the RS500 arrives in May.

Kia Magentis toughens up for New York

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 20:17:00 +0000

Kia have opted for a much more aggressive design for the next generation of their Magentis.

BMW announces 5 Series estate release date

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 08:08:00 +0000

The estate version of BMW's formidable 5 Series will go on sale on September 18.

Review: Mitsubishi Lancer GS3 DI-D

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 20:04:00 +0000

With similar aggressive looks to its hell-raising cousin the Evo X, the Mitsubishi Lancer GS3 DI-D offers sporty excitement with one eye on economy.

Review: Honda Insight

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:45:00 +0000

With Toyota experiencing some not-inconsiderable problems with their Prius, now could be the time for would-be rivals to gain some ground.

Review: Subaru Forester

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:11:00 +0000

The Forester sees Subaru continuing to play by its own rules, producing another practical and robust workhorse -- with only the odd concession to today's fashions.

Review: Ford Mondeo Econetic

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 19:33:00 +0000

It used to be that people wanting a frugal car had to buy small. That's all changing.

Review: BMW Z4 sDrive 35i

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:59:00 +0000

This is a car that definitely deserves a 'most improved' award.

Review: Skoda Yeti

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 19:46:00 +0000

Spend some time picking the right model and the Skoda Yeti offers a monster of a deal.