Love ’em, or loathe ’em, you can’t avoid ’em – Anatomy of the SUV
IAIN ROBERTSON Treated literally, the Sport Utility Vehicle is an horrendous misnomer, writes Iain Robertson, possessing some elements of all-wheel drive, on a hiked-up, family-orientated platform that ought to...
Sometimes, being ‘disagreeable’ can reveal con-jobs and skulduggery
IAIN ROBERTSON Realising that he is hardly alone in questioning the premature return-to-work strategy being exercised almost wholesale across the UK motor industry, Iain Robertson is concerned about other...
Isuzu D-Max XTR (Colour Edition) makes purpose work
IAIN ROBERTSON Introduced originally as a ‘concept’ by International Motors Group, the official importer of Isuzu pickup trucks to the UK market, Iain Robertson is only too delighted to...
Survival forces Suzuki into strategic alliance with Toyota for Swace
IAIN ROBERTSON Things are tough at present across the entire motor industry but, writes Iain Robertson, the deal between Suzuki and Toyota was struck long before the pandemic did...
Next-generation Audi A3 saloon benefits from substantial character injection
IAIN ROBERTSON With deliveries hoped to commence this summer, reports Iain Robertson, Audi’s latest compact 4-door has become more mature and markedly less of a niche-filler than its predecessor,...
Genesis – The car you almost certainly never promised yourself
IAIN ROBERTSON Despite teasing British motoring journalists for the past decade, reports Iain Robertson, Genesis, the luxury arm of Hyundai, has been shaping up in other new car markets,...
New Peugeot 3008 and how fruit often goes putrid from within
IAIN ROBERTSON Seldom has Iain Robertson felt so alienated by one single motorcar (perhaps a pair), as he has been by the latest crop of SUVs (3008/5008) from Peugeot,...
Recognition of great design does no harm to Mazda’s fine repute
IAIN ROBERTSON At a time when the motor industry is free thankfully of mainstream mundanity, Iain Robertson is utterly delighted that his tip-for-the-top from May 2019, the new...
New Merc S-Class confounds critics, rivals and customers but it should not be a surprise.
IAIN ROBERTSON Every time Daimler-Benz launches a new version of its most prestigious S-Class, it would be fair for Iain Robertson to state that its technological mandate is not...
Subaru and the death-defying vital automotive safety factor
IAIN ROBERTSON It can be either totally swamping, or too easy to ignore, but, states Iain Robertson, the wide-ranging subject of in-car, passive and active safety addenda, whether considered...
While not exactly ‘same again’ for Lotus, Evija evinces a familiar supercar style
IAIN ROBERTSON Norfolk-based sportscar manufacturer, Lotus, is promising customers of its cut above electric hypercar an intriguing experiential programme, highlights Iain Robertson, of an order that is sure to...
The Sensual Appeal of I.C.E. and Automobilia
IAIN ROBERTSON From the Sound of Silence to the Art of Noise, the tactility of textiles to the aroma of weathered hide, even tangential taste, Iain Robertson cites sight...
When we return to ‘normal’, go buy that 4×4 you always promised yourself!
IAIN ROBERTSON From years of near-maniacal 4×4 antipathy, Iain Robertson is relenting and highlighting that ‘life is simply too short’ to hold so much prejudice, because we all need...
Kia plugs in to broaden Ceed line-up but misses a trick on pricing
IAIN ROBERTSON Judicious enough to stick to a solus model format for its all-new PHEV version of the Sportswagon model, states Iain Robertson, Kia plays a clever game in...
Sparky Suzuki Ignis wins appeal for likeability, practicality and affordability
IAIN ROBERTSON It is the ‘Holy Trinity’ of automotive desires, states Iain Robertson, at which Suzuki’s car division is surprisingly adept but, despite the impact of the pandemic, at...
Hyundai does Porsche with tiller-less Prophecy
IAIN ROBERTSON As with several models and concepts, Prophecy obtained a digital premiere in March, highlights Iain Robertson, and, unlike many design concepts, this one teases several ideas and...
From an acronym obsessed motor industry, the important ‘WLTP’ is explained
IAIN ROBERTSON From ABS* to ZE*, it does seem as though the world’s motor industry has created its own Dictionary of Initials, highlights Iain Robertson, but finding out the...
PSA has a problem that Vauxhall can resolve
IAIN ROBERTSON In all the automotive shenanigans that have taken place over the past decade, highlights Iain Robertson, one of the most concerning has been the unwarranted and sudden...
Get an eyeful of Evora, as Lotus scales the junior supercar ranking
IAIN ROBERTSON Whether appealing to enthusiast, or money-spinner, Lotus is a brand possessing a troubled history of more than seven decades, writes Iain Robertson, following Italian Ferrari’s business model...
Cute and competent Ignis obtains mid-life Suzuki upgrades inside and out
IAIN ROBERTSON Although it seems only like yesterday, the motoring ‘funster’ that is the Suzuki Ignis was introduced in 2016, highlights Iain Robertson, which suggests a model life expectancy...
Possible second bite of the cherry for Kia Stinger in the UK
IAIN ROBERTSON From a purely personal viewpoint, Iain Robertson fell head-over-heels in love with the new large Kia saloon in early 2018, as it satisfied his desires for performance,...
Citroen’s faltering funkiness warrants recognition for a soft return to avantgarde
IAIN ROBERTSON The latest Citroen C3 boasts a marginally intriguing level of funky design elements, suggests Iain Robertson, a factor for which he doffs his flat cap, with due...
Tough times, great work – 2 – ‘From Street Food to Bistro’
IAIN ROBERTSON Coursing through the Covid era, with its uncertainties and potential pitfalls, Iain Robertson is delighted to report on an enterprising Yorkshireman determined to make his mark in...
Maserati joins the hybrid elite, with electrified Ghibli four-door
IAIN ROBERTSON Enjoying something of a business renaissance since it introduced the Levante SUV a couple of years ago, states Iain Robertson, Italian executive carmaker, Maserati, has now introduced...
Bentley Blower ‘continuation’ is happening and why the hell not?!
IAIN ROBERTSON Almost a year ago, Iain Robertson received a whiff of a story about a short run of 12 handcrafted recreations of the original 1929 racing Bentleys that...
What’s in a name, Riley Kestrel?
IAIN ROBERTSON If you are the successful owner of a brewing company and you have a registered trade name that sparks a promotional opportunity, then, suggests Iain Robertson, why...
Great work in tough times – 1 – ‘Jack in the Box’
IAIN ROBERTSON Coursing through the Covid era, with its uncertainties and potential pitfalls, Iain Robertson is delighted to report on a young man determined to make his mark in...
St Tropez, top down, cruising effortlessly…you wouldn’t say ‘Non!’ to a Bentley!
IAIN ROBERTSON If there is one personal car that is guaranteed to open doors to high-end locations, it has to be a Bentley Continental Convertible by Mulliner and Iain...
Audi’s importance of being A3 earnest
IAIN ROBERTSON While Audi might argue that all of its models are important, Iain Robertson is of the opinion that none is more vital to the ‘Four Rings’ brand...
Subtlety is the key to the Mazda CX-5 in its latest guise
IAIN ROBERTSON Having arrived at a level of svelte style and street presence that provides high satisfaction, states Iain Robertson, Mazda realises that change-for-change’s-sake on its mid-size crossover model...
Nine months in, Suzuki Vitara remains a total sweetie
IAIN ROBERTSON Maintaining complete confidence in his choice of car and with 27 months left to run of its lease term, Iain Robertson reflects on his compact taller class...
Nissan finally flips out with ‘all-new’ Ariya electric vehicle
IAIN ROBERTSON Poor old Nissan, the sometime Japanese carmaker that is heavily influenced by its French strategic partner, Renault, has taken an extraplanetary leap, reports Iain Robertson, into the...
The Most Iconic Motorcars
IAIN ROBERTSON While we are all ‘confined to quarters’ and seeking ‘interesting’ aspects of life, reports Iain Robertson, one of the UK’s largest car clubs has compiled a list...
Neo-classical up! digs into big brother’s closet for GTi classification
IAIN ROBERTSON It is hard to believe that VW’s up! model is nudging nine years of age and a surprised Iain Robertson suggests that even priced just shy of...
Crewe-based Bentley wants Bentayga to be seen as the ultimate SUV
IAIN ROBERTSON There is no denial that VW Group’s investment in Bentley has been generous and well-managed, highlights Iain Robertson, and the latest upgrade to the German-British firm’s full-size...
Nine months in, Suzuki Vitara remains a total sweetie
IAIN ROBERTSON Maintaining complete confidence in his choice of car and with 27 months left to run of its lease term, Iain Robertson reflects on his compact taller class...
Nine months in, Suzuki Vitara remains a total sweetie
IAIN ROBERTSON Maintaining complete confidence in his choice of car and with 27 months left to run of its lease term, Iain Robertson reflects on his compact taller class...
Book Reviews
IAIN ROBERTSON Continuing to delve into the latest offerings from the book publishing scene, Iain Robertson has discovered some true gems from the motor racing scene that he believes...
New Vauxhall Mokka shows EV intent to maximum effect
IAIN ROBERTSON While brinkmanship has been a fascinating tenet of PSA Group’s recent management activities, Iain Robertson suggests that nobody should be gulled into a belief that the Chinese-funded...
Book Reviews
IAIN ROBERTSON Thanks to being cloistered away over the past few months, it seems that our nation has become increasingly book savvy and Iain Robertson has reviewed some of...