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.
THE first glimmer of summer has arrived early at Volkswagen UK, with the T-Roc Cabriolet opening for order this week. Fashion-focused Design trim cars start at £26,750 RRP OTR, while sportier-styled R-Line examples begin at £31,920 RRP OTR.
The latest in a dynasty of Volkswagen Cabriolets spanning 71 years and numerous successful models, the T-Roc Cabriolet reaches the UK in … Read the rest
ROADSTERS have played an important role in BMW’s history and the latest, all-new BMW Z4 is set to write another chapter in the open-top story.
Since the birth of the first example – the famous BMW 328 – all BMW roadsters have shared common proportions and design principles – long bonnet, low, set-back driving position, long wheelbase and short overhangs. … Read the rest
YOU may be surprised to learn that, globally, the Kia Rio is the Korean manufacturer’s best-seller – and this fourth-generation model looks set to continue the success with fresh styling, a new engine, impressive tech and, of course, Kia’s superb 7-year/100,000-mile warranty.
However, the supermini market is also super-competitive – especially in the UK – with the likes of the … Read the rest
IF you were to run through a crowded car park blindfolded, the chances are that the first car you would bounce off would be a compact SUV. They’re more prolific than a politician’s promises – but, thankfully, much more reliable.
Amongst the most reliable of all would be the new Lexus UX 250h as the Japanese manufacturer has an enviable … Read the rest
THE Ford Focus Active represents the top model in Ford’s Active range of mild-crossover vehicles with the Ka+ Active and Fiesta Active being the other two.
Having briefly driven all the models recently I was delighted to take a Focus Active on extended loan to see if it’s worth paying a premium for the extra ride-height, tweaked suspension, bespoke chassis … Read the rest
THE new Jaguar F-TYPE looks more beautiful than ever and embodies Jaguar design DNA in its purest form. The two-seat sports car offers a perfect balance of performance and driver reward with an even more muscular, assertive design and a cabin defined by rich, luxurious materials and beautiful details.
The range of powerful, responsive engines includes four- and eight-cylinder options, … Read the rest
FAMILY estate cars have taken a bit of a beating in recent years with the ever-growing number of family-sized SUVs available – however, business users have tended to stick with the more traditional estate for sheer practicality and motorway-cruising refinement.
Among the best of them has always been Audi’s A6 Avant. As a premium estate it’s certainly refined, has bags … Read the rest
THE concept of personalisation reaches a new level with the Tweed Hood of the all-new Bentley Continental GT Convertible. For lovers of classic heritage with a twist, the individual option of a new colour hood harmony has been created by two ‘solid’ tones which together form a dynamic partnership.
Today’s Tweed is a glorious combination of the old and the … Read the rest
WE appear to be drowning in a sea of SUV and crossover vehicles at the moment and boy is it hard to distinguish one from another. So, the manufacturer that can get its affordable, small SUV to stand out from the crowd should be onto a winner.
So, let’s start by saying that the Volkswagen T-Roc is a bit of … Read the rest
WHEN celebs require luxury transport for themselves and their entourage, they often choose between two models from the Mercedes-Benz stable: The S-Class or the V-Class, with the V-Class becoming ever-more popular thanks to its peerless comfort and space combo for up to eight people.
It works very well in the “real” world too thanks to its drivability and practicality. The … Read the rest