July 1, 2009

Seat Ibiza Cupra, Bocanerga and FR launch

Seat Ibizas past and present - plus a rally version

Seat Ibizas past and present - plus a rally version

We’re out in Barcelona test-driving the new Ibiza hot hatches: the FR, Cupra and Bocanegra.

The FR sits at the bottom of the line with a 1.4-litre turbo and supercharged engine developing 150bhp while both the Cupra and Bocanegra boast 180bhp from the tuned version of the same power plant. Keep reading →

July 1, 2009

This just in: Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X SST 330

Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X 330 SST

Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X 330 SST

We recently reviewed Mitsubishi’s hottest Lancer Evo X, the FQ 400 and now its smaller-but-still-spicy sibling has appeared.

Insert “you wait ages for a hot Evo, then two come along at once” joke here.

To give it its full name, this is the Lancer Evo X GSR SST FQ-330. Here’s our first pictures of the car: Keep reading →

June 25, 2009

European Car of the Year 2010 – who will win?

Vauxhall Insignia: 2009 European Car of the Year

Vauxhall Insignia: 2009 European Car of the Year

The 2010 European Car of the Year shortlist has been announced.

There are 29 cars listed, with models as varied as the Porsche Panamera super-saloon and the hybrid Honda Insight vying to take the accolade won by the Vauxhall Insignia last year.

But which will win? Here’s four of our picks – make your prediction below. Keep reading →

June 15, 2009

Tell us about the best car you ever owned

Made do with a Morris Minor? Courted in a Cortina? Married in a Montego?

We’ve all had cars we look back fondly on. A reminder of an old boyfriend or girlfriend, a great adventure, or simply because it was a great car.

Keep reading →

June 15, 2009

Ford Ka: Like / Don’t like

Our Ford Ka is heading home soon. Here’s what we’ll miss about the nippy city runabout – and what we’re not so sorry to see the back of.

LIKE: Build quality

LIKE: Build quality

It’s a small car but there’s no evidence of corner-cutting. The door handles in particular have a solid, quality feel to them. Keep reading →

June 10, 2009

This just in: Fiesta Mountune

The Focus RS might be the Ford that’s getting everyone excited at the moment, but there’s plenty to entertain with its smaller brother – the Fiesta Zetec-S Mountune.

It’s half the price of the RS, but certainly doesn’t seem half the car.

fiesta_zetec-s_mountune_2

Keep reading →

June 10, 2009

This just in: Ford Ka

Ford Ka

Ford Ka

A Ford Ka arrived in the office this week and the timing couldn’t be better. London is being hit by a two-day tube strike, and a nippy little city car is just what we need to avoid the public transport chaos.

We’ll be putting the Ka to our ten-point test later this week. In the meantime here’s the first pictures of our car. If there’s anything you want to know about the Ka or would like to see in our review please leave a comment below. Keep reading →

June 4, 2009

This just in: Maserati GranTurismo S

Maserati GranTurismo

Maserati GranTurismo

It’s a good week when we get a Maserati in to test drive. It’s a very good week when we get two

This two-seat Maserati GranTurismo S arrived at Auto Trader today. Not only does it look utterly ferocious, but its caterwauling 4.7-litre V8 engine can push it to 183mph and 0-62mph in sub-five seconds. Keep reading →

June 4, 2009

I’ve just bought a Beemer through Auto Trader

I am a big BMW fan.
Don’t ask me why or even when it started, but somehow the allure of Munich’s famous straight-sixes coupled to rear-wheel-drive and excellent build quality slowly wormed its way into my brain.
And I finally have satisfied a long-standing urge to buy a properly quick, properly rare performance BMW.
Ladies and gentlemen, I have just bought a 1999 BMW 328i Sport via Auto Trader.
It’s got less than 80,000 miles on the clock, a full service history, tan leather interior and has been lovingly owned and maintained for years – and taking it out for a test drive confirmed this. It is really rapid.
The 200bhp 2.8-litre straight-six engine up front feels fresh and responsive, and the suspension feels remarkably sorted considering the M Sport dampers and springs are 10 years old.
My only criticism of this shape 3 Series is the steering, which feels a little slow on turn-in – but as a powerful performance coupe with mini GT pretentions, it is fantastic.
One is most chuffed – and all this for less than £4k.
And that’s the thing about these rare performance coupes. I only saw it last week, did a bit of research, drove it, made all the checks via our online safety and security centre and signed on the dotted line.
From fantasy-Auto-Trader search to sitting-on-my-drive in just five days.
My new (used) Beemer

My new (used) Beemer

I am a big BMW fan.

Don’t ask me why or even when it started, but somehow the allure of Munich’s famous straight-sixes coupled to rear-wheel-drive and excellent build quality slowly wormed its way into my brain.

And I finally have satisfied a long-standing urge to buy a properly quick, properly rare performance BMW.

Keep reading →

June 1, 2009

This just in: Maserati Quattroporte

Maserati Quattroporte

Maserati Quattroporte

We’ve just taken delivery of a Maserati Quattroporte which we’ll be putting through a ten-point test later this week.

First impressions? Well, you can’t help but be floored by its elegance and presence. It’s a bona fide head-turner.

I wish they’d put the markings for the gear lever on the driver’s side of the column. But that’s exactly the sort of thing you notice the first time you drive a car, and then quickly forget about. Keep reading →