Float through the traffic in the E300 February 25, 2013 Mercedes-Benz’s latest hybrid executive saloon is so smooth it is more magic carpet than automobile Traditionally, delivering high fuel economy hasn’t been a primary focus for large executive cars. But the times they are a-changin’. Car manufacturers know they need to provide cleaner and more efficient vehicles to appease European regulators and discourage buyers from [...]
Rival motors February 25, 2013 NOT CONVINCED BY THE E300? HERE ARE SOME ALTERNATIVES BMW ActiveHybrid 5, £47,095 If you fancy something a little sportier, BMW’s ActiveHybrid 5 combines a 3.0-litre twin turbo six-cylinder petrol engine with an electric drive system and eight-speed automatic gearbox. With a combined power output of 340hp, BMW’s executive hybrid can be driven on electric [...]
This new Porsche sounds like a hit February 18, 2013 SOMEWHERE IN the latest Porsche Cayman are 12 loudspeakers. How they’ve squeezed them in is anyone’s guess. It’s “the fastest concert hall in the world,” according to Hans Jürgen Wöhler, chief of mid-engined cars at Porsche. Despite the fact no one is going to buy this car for its audio system, Wöhler can barely contain [...]
The new Mini might be the best yet February 11, 2013 BACK WHEN most cars could still be relied upon to regularly break down, racing and rally car constructor John Cooper invented the original pocket rocket. He race-tuned the astonishing BMC Mini to create the Mini Cooper. It earned iconic status by dominating saloon car and rally racing in the 1960s. It won the Monte Carlo [...]
Rivals worth considering February 11, 2013 The BMW M1235i, from £29,995 At this price the bigger and more practical, rear-wheel drive BMW M135i might be worth considering. There’s a 3.0-litre turbocharged six-cylinder engine pushing out 316bhp from under its understated bonnet. It can accelerate from zero to 62mph in just 4.8 seconds and is a far better everyday driver than past [...]
Peugeot aims to top its iconic 205 February 4, 2013 IF YOU are of a certain age you’ll know how revered the Peugeot 205 was. The little motor transformed the supermini segment when it was introduced back in 1983 and went on to become something of an icon. Peugeot is hoping its new 208 model can recapture its success. Unlike its 206 and 207 predecessors [...]
And if that doesn’t take your fancy… February 4, 2013 Ford Fiesta Titanium 1.0T EcoBoost, £16,045 It’s Britain’s best selling car for a reason. The Ford Fiesta is a great all-rounder and considered to be one of the most fun superminis to drive. It’s also sharp-looking and offers a good combination of attributes. The latest model is available with a three-cylinder 123bhp 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine, [...]
The sporty but sensible Mazda 6 January 29, 2013 With the price of fuel about to go up again, it’s no surprise so many of us now consider fuel economy one of the most important considerations when buying a new car. It’s the latest front to open up in the battle to attract car buyers and Mazda has made a massive effort to ensure [...]
Car talk January 29, 2013 Aston Martin ushers in an even faster supercar Aston Martin has introduced a faster, more agile four-door Rapide supercar. The Rapide S luxury GT has a more powerful, though more efficient, 6.0-litre V12 engine. Power is up by a massive 80bhp to 550bhp shaving 0.3 seconds off its 0-62 mph time; down to just 4.9 [...]
The best estate car on the market January 22, 2013 Driving a rear-wheel drive car in the snow and ice is the only time any self-respecting petrol-head might wish for front-wheel drive. It’s also when the traction control warning light is at its most comforting. So it was for us, skating our way out of a snowed-in car park on the M2 services, running and [...]