Car IndicatorsFreelance motoring writer and member of the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers with a love of cars, motorbikes and running.
I lied about the love of motorbikes. They scare me to death - although I would like to own a Ducati 996 in red which I would just look at but never ride. No, not ever.
WHEN Ford announced the Explorer EV, there was far less noise than there had been around the Mustang Mach-E or, more recently, the Capri.
That’s probably because the Explorer name doesn’t carry the same emotional baggage in the UK. Most buyers aren’t arriving with decades of nostalgia or strong opinions about what an Explorer should be. That freedom has arguably … Read the rest
FEW cars have generated quite as much debate before they’ve even reached customers as the new Ford Capri.
The reason, of course, is the name. For many people, the Capri badge conjures memories of a sleek, rear-wheel-drive coupé that became one of Britain’s most recognisable cars. It was affordable, stylish and just sporty enough to earn a place in the … Read the rest
THERE was a time when buying a SsangYong required a certain amount of bravery. The cars were often honest and rugged, but they could also feel as though they had been engineered by a committee whose only shared goal was to make a Land Rover out of whatever happened to be lying around the workshop.
Today, however, things are rather … Read the rest
FOR more than three decades, the Suzuki Vitara has occupied a rather special place in British motoring.
First launched in 1988, the original Vitara arrived long before the term “SUV” became part of everyday vocabulary. Back then, most four-wheel drives were either rugged workhorses designed for farms and forestry, or expensive lifestyle statements aimed at those with more disposable income than muddy … Read the rest
YOU don’t have to look very far to see where the market has gone.
SUVs dominate just about every segment now, each one a little taller, a little heavier and often a little less engaging to drive than the cars they’ve replaced. The Kia EV4 takes a different route.
Rather than following the crowd, it steps slightly to one side. It’s lower, more compact and closer in spirit to a traditional hatchback … Read the rest
SOME cars make an impression immediately and back in 2023 that’s exactly what the Polestar 3 and Polestar 4 did. Design-led, sumptuous interiors and futuristic exteriors always go down well. The driving experience didn’t disappoint either.
For 2026, Polestar has gone further with their 3 model. This isn’t a light update. With a new 800-volt electrical architecture, a significantly upgraded … Read the rest
I’ve been an advocate for using the right tyres in the right conditions for years now. I know I will be sounding like a broken record to many by now but I make no apologies.
It’s a no-brainer to have maximum grip no matter what the conditions are and changing my summer tyres for a set of winter tyres in … Read the rest
THE Kia Sportage has quietly become the SUV of choice for many families. It’s not loud about it, nor does it lean heavily on heritage or performance credentials. Instead, it has steadily built a reputation as one of the most complete family SUVs on sale – practical, well-equipped and easy to live with.
Now in its updated fifth generation, the … Read the rest
THE Ford Puma has been one of the UK’s quiet success stories over the past few years.
Compact, practical and surprisingly enjoyable to drive, it managed to inject a bit of personality into the crowded small SUV segment. It carries the torch for the defunct Fiesta, very well.
Now Ford has taken that formula and applied a fully electric powertrain, … Read the rest
FEW names carry quite the same cultural weight as the Renault 4.
First launched in 1961, the original R4 was conceived as a car for everyone — practical, affordable and capable of tackling both city streets and rural tracks. Renault sold more than eight million of them across the globe, turning the humble little hatchback into one of the most … Read the rest