Does the Mazda MX-5 still deserve to be called a sports car? August 28, 2015 The Mazda MX-5 is the world’s bestselling sports car, but it’s never been the quickest. When it launched in the UK in 1990, it offered an enjoyable driving experience combined with top-down convertible thrills for the relatively inexpensive price of £14,500. But the MX-5 failed to move with the times. It cared more about being [...]
Will the new Evora 400 revive Lotus? August 24, 2015 Would you spend £72,000 on a Lotus? It’s a key question for the British car company and the answer may determine its future in the luxury motoring market. One man praying that the answer is yes is new head honcho Jean-Marc Gales, who has serious industry history, including a stint as president of Peugeot-Citroen. Over [...]
Jaguar’s XF is a practical beast August 17, 2015 When Jaguar launched the XE, it brought London to a standstill. It was helicoptered over the Thames, chased by a flotilla of speedboats, then escorted through the city by classic Mark II Jaguar police cars. Arriving at a celeb-packed Earls Court, it was serenaded by pop princess Emeli Sande, who performed a new song written [...]
Car review: New Bentley Mulsanne Speed is silent but speedy August 11, 2015 We’ve all been there. You’ve booked to go to the theatre or a restaurant with friends and the day before, they cry off. This time it was down to a rugby tackle from a small child to the side of my friend’s knee. The result was strapping, crutches and a level of pain that rendered [...]
Not convinced? August 10, 2015 CHECK OUT THESE ALTERNATIVES… ASTON MARTIN DB9 PRICE: £133,495 0-62MPH: 4.6 secs TOP SPEED: 183mph CO2 G/KM: 333g/km MPG COMBINED: 19.8mpg THE VERDICT: DESIGN Four Stars PERFORMANCE Four Stars PRACTICALITY Two Stars VALUE FOR MONEY Three Stars MERCEDES S 65 AMG COUPE PRICE: £181,305 0-62MPH: 4.1 secs TOP SPEED: 155mph CO2 G/KM: 279g/km MPG COMBINED: 23.7mpg THE VERDICT: DESIGN [...]
Car review: New McLaren 675LT is fast, furious and everything you could hope for in a supercar August 4, 2015 Those 500 people who took a gamble on signing up for McLaren’s new £259,500 supercar before test-driving it can breathe a sigh of relief: the 675LT is sensational. Sensational to look at, sensational to drive and sensationally fast. But first, a quick lesson on the McLaren stable: there’s the core 650S range, offered as [...]
Not convinced? August 3, 2015 CHECK OUT THESE ALTERNATIVES… FERRARI 458 SPECIALE PRICE: £208,100 0-62MPH: 3.0 secs TOP SPEED: 202mph CO2 G/KM: 275g/km MPG COMBINED: 24.0mpg THE VERDICT: DESIGN Three Stars PERFORMANCE Four Stars PRACTICALITY Two Stars VALUE FOR MONEY Two Stars LAMBORGHINI AVENTADOR LP 700-4 PRICE: £264,015 0-62MPH: 2.9 secs TOP SPEED: 2.17mph CO2 G/KM: 370g/km MPG COMBINED: 17.7mpg THE VERDICT: DESIGN Three [...]
Car review: Will the Mercedes-Benz GLC overtake its rivals? July 27, 2015 Mercedes-Benz finally has a new, smaller 4×4 to take on the Audi Q5 and BMW X3. But is it worth the wait? Readers of a certain age may read the acronym GLC and be forcibly reminded of the Ken Livingstone-headed Greater London Council. Thankfully, initials are all the Mercedes GLC has in common with [...]
Not convinced? July 27, 2015 CHECK OUT THESE ALTERNATIVES… AUDI Q5 2.0 TDI 190 S TRONIC SE PRICE: £34,280 0-62MPH: 8.4 secs TOP SPEED: 130mph CO2 G/KM: 152g/km MPG COMBINED: 48.7mpg THE VERDICT: DESIGN Four Stars PERFORMANCE Three Stars PRACTICALITY Four Stars VALUE FOR MONEY Two Stars BMW X3 20D SE AUTO PRICE: £35,305 0-62MPH: 8.1 secs TOP SPEED: 130mph CO2 G/KM: 136g/km [...]
Car review: Honda’s Civic Type R could give most super-cars a run for their money July 20, 2015 If you want to get ahead in F1, don’t get a Honda. It’s rejoined the sport this season and is currently powering to its worst-ever year as part of the McLaren team. The drivers count themselves lucky to even finish a race and, when they do, they’re usually at the back. For now though, [...]