Lexus LC 500h Sports Coupe – Full review coming soon . . .

HAVE Lexus pulled off the ultimate sports coupe with the new LC 500h?

It certainly looks the part – and on paper has the figures to match with 0-60mph in 4.7 seconds, a top speed of 155mph and sublime handling with the option of 4-wheel-steer.

But have Lexus compromised on the sporting credentials to maintain their luxury-car status or is … Read the rest

Audi Q5 2.0 TFSI Quattro – Car Review

THE new Audi Q5, in true Audi fashion, doesn’t look a great deal different from the old Audi Q5 which I’m sure doesn’t worry the Audi accountants very much as the Q5 has always sold well for Audi.

It is different though – for a start it’s lighter than the older version by around 90kg, is a little more accommodating … Read the rest

McLaren 570S Spider – First Drive

IF Bruce Wayne invited you down to Wayne Manor to test drive his new Batmobile you’d be crazy not to accept, right?

Okay, it’s never going to happen – on account of Batman not actually existing – but what actually did happen is that Wayne Bruce invited me down to Hoar Cross Hall in Burton-on-Trent to test drive the new … Read the rest

Is it time to consider a seasonal tyre change?

WITH a cold weather warning sweeping the nation, now is the right time for drivers to pay particular attention to tyre safety for the coming wintry months.

That’s especially relevant to those who drive significant distances as the weather increasingly turns to the classic British experience of ‘all four seasons in a day’. That makes winter tyres an option for … Read the rest

Skoda vRS Estate 180PS TDI DSG – Car Review

THE Skoda Octavia vRS hatchback has always been a favourite with those wanting to experience some sporting thrills while unwilling to sacrifice any practicality. After all, having a family shouldn’t mean you need to wave goodbye to driving pleasure.

And if that family includes a dog there is always the Octavia vRS Estate. I say “a dog” but it could … Read the rest

Kia Sorento 2.2 CRDI KX-3 – Car Review

THE Kia Sorento is the South Korean company’s flagship offering and this 3rd generation SUV is bigger and bolder than what has gone before, now offering 7-seats as standard across the range and an interior to rival the more up-market brands.

The exterior is much improved too – which, to be honest, isn’t that difficult as the old Sorento … Read the rest

Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport Sri VX-Line Nav

THE new Vauxhall Insignia has now been given the added title of “Grand Sport” in its hatchback guise but I’m not sure why Vauxhall feel the need to add the extra title as plain “Insignia” was, and still is, fine by me.

It’s not as though the new Insignia is much grander and much sportier than the previous model – … Read the rest

Neighbourhood Watch – Ford Mustang gets “Good Neighbour” mode . . .

AFTER experiencing the likes of the Ford Mustang, Jaguar F-Type and, most recently, the Alfa Romeo 4C, I can fully understand the thinking behind this excellent idea from Ford.

  •  New Ford Mustang is first car drivers can schedule different engine noises for different times
  • “Good Neighbour Mode” enables owners to transform signature Mustang roar into a purr
  • Idea is brainchild
Read the rest

Subaru BRZ SE Lux – Car Review

IF you’re after a driver-focused, rear-wheel-drive , 2+2 coupe for under £30,000 then you  could do worse than settle on the Subaru BRZ.

You may be tempted to bust your budget slightly for a different badge and go for the Subaru’s stable mate, the Toyota GT86 but if you lean toward performance rather than comfort then I wouldn’t bother as … Read the rest

2017 Northern Car of the Year – Suzuki Ignis takes top spot

THE 2017 Northern Car of the Year is the Suzuki Ignis; it is the second time in four years that the manufacturer has received the award, having also won with the outgoing model Swift Sport in 2014.  

The region’s pre-eminent motoring journalists, members of the Northern Group of Motoring Writers, placed the eye-catching Ignis at the top of the poll … Read the rest

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