Stick to a remit of ‘city car’ and an all-electric smart fortwo makes immense sense
IAIN ROBERTSON As a long-time proponent of purposeful modes of transport, Iain Robertson believes that addressing environmental issues is essential to all of us but it neither means donning...
Gareth Butterfield tests the new-look Jeep Renegade
THE Jeep Renegade was launched in 2015 and has been a strong seller for the Fiat-owned American brand. Its chunky, distinctive looks are very familiar now – but it’s...
Lexus applies mid-life upgrades to its spectacular LC500
IAIN ROBERTSON One of the most extraordinary cars that Iain Robertson drove in early-2018 was the top-specification Japanese grand tourer devised and developed by Lexus, the luxury arm of...
Subaru adopts a welcome slant on purposeful, with its latest XV eBoxer
IAIN ROBERTSON A long-standing fan of the Subaru brand, Iain Robertson becomes highly passionate, when discussing its latest developments and considers that, if you must invest in an SUV,...
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...
Dacia, whether pronounced ‘Dacier’, or ‘Datcher’, is an automotive gift
IAIN ROBERTSON Every industry needs its ‘Poundstretcher’, its entry-level to whichever, to gain market traction and to provide a perception of good value, where none may exist, and Iain...
Gareth Butterfield dons his work-boots and reviews the Mitsubishi L200
THIS is the new Mitsubishi L200. Imposing, isn’t it? While the last one could have as slender by comparison to rivals, athletic perhaps, this new version looks butch and...
Drop the ‘premium’ label, Mondeo-class is now ruled by Merc C-Class
IAIN ROBERTSON It does not take miraculous juggling of figures to see that the UK’s medium sector is now dominated by the ‘Teutonic Trinity’, writes Iain Robertson, which begs...
Can a 13-year-old Ford Fiesta be a viable daily runabout?
IAIN ROBERTSON Collecting a notionally clean and well-equipped ‘oldie’ to operate for a few months filled Iain Robertson with intrepidation (and nervousness), not least because his predominant experiences of...
Polestar explains its Precept(s) in judicious detail – Part 2
IAIN ROBERTSON Whether you regard the Polestar Precept as a concept, or not, continues Iain Robertson, its role as a preconception-buster is much in evidence and having looked...
Gareth Butterfield reviews the latest version of the Suzuki Vitara
IF you’re as old as I am you might be able to cast your mind back more than 30 years to the original Suzuki Vitara. It was a bit...
Polestar explains its Precept(s) in judicious detail – Part 1
IAIN ROBERTSON Having aired his concerns about Volvo offshoot (Polestar), which professed to be as much of an automotive disrupter, if not more so, than Tesla, Iain Robertson has...
Hyundai’s hydrogen car beats all expectations
IAIN ROBERTSON Hindered by a lack of refuelling infrastructure, not aided by poor public perception about the storage of hydrogen gas, let alone its sourcing as a by-product of...
Audi redefines the large SUV sector with RS version of the Q8
IAIN ROBERTSON Hot on the heels of its main rival Merc, highlights Iain Robertson, Audi has revamped its Q8 with a blisteringly rapid variant that will demand a driver...
More than ‘sneak preview’, Mitsubishi reveals its all-new Mirage, at last!
IAIN ROBERTSON As a member of the Renault-Nissan Alliance, highlights Iain Robertson, it might have been fair for Mitsubishi to lean on its partners during the development of its...
Gareth Butterfield watches MG make a big step forward with the all-electric ZS EV
ELECTRIC cars are all the industry seems to be talking about at the moment. The government is rather keen on them, too. But the consumer appears to be more...
AM reveals its DBX hand that promises substantial grand touring potential
IAIN ROBERTSON With first UK deliveries expected in late-spring 2020, the £158,000 Aston Martin five-seater should provide a vital rescue line for the prestigious British sporting car manufacturer and...
Recycling results in Renault’s ‘plastic’ upholstery (on the Zoe EV at least)
IAIN ROBERTSON While it may take time, largely due to the development of new machinery, reports Iain Robertson, when the motor industry invests in its eco-future, it can do...
Seat’s first all-electric Mii is ready to be ordered now (delivery: March 2020)
IAIN ROBERTSON Although potential buyers will not see their cars until the end of March 2020, reports Iain Robertson, based on the same technology as the VW up! and...
BMW takes 3-Series and reinforces its staple proposition
IAIN ROBERTSON With more emphasis on ‘M-Sport’ elements than ever, writes Iain Robertson, BMW already knows how to turn a cute profit but, with the launch version of its...
New 208 elevates Peugeot style in compact class-leading manner
IAIN ROBERTSON Nobody ever said that small cars had to be tedious to encounter, writes Iain Robertson, which is central to his fascination for the new 208 that introduces...
Gareth Butterfield is knocked out by the Suzuki Swift Attitude
IF you’re a fan of a sporty supermini but you’re on a tight budget then I have some good news. Suzuki has a treat in store for you. It’s...
Lap of luxury A8 adopts plug-in electrification as Audi’s top model
IAIN ROBERTSON Having committed to a major electrification programme, the latest model to make the conversion is Audi’s senior league, super luxury contender, the A8, which Iain Robertson describes...
Kill ‘Designer Desire’ and you kill pollution, kill ailments and foster life
IAIN ROBERTSON While it may sound extreme, there is much truth attached to the impact that humans have on their environment and, when Iain Robertson is informed about one...
Gareth Butterfield tries to make sense of the classy and quirky DS3 Crossback
IN case you’ve not been formally introduced, DS Automobiles is a new brand for the PSA group that owns Citroen, Peugeot and Vauxhall. And we’re now at the stage...
Alfa leans on Sauber and ‘in-house’ Ferrari for hottest Giulia of them all
IAIN ROBERTSON Trawling through 110 years of history to replicate a fascination of half that age is either Latin folly, or limited production genius, highlights Iain Robertson, as he...
All hail Skoda’s approach to mainstream modernity and its Octavia model!
IAIN ROBERTSON No less than ‘seven million’ Octavia models have rolled off the production lines at Skoda’s Mlada Boleslav factory since 1996 and Iain Robertson, both as a former...
British Motor Museum acquires a unique Triumph TR2 prototype
Photos courtesy of the British Motor Museum Ann Evans reports on a Triumph TR2 prototype, secured with £250K National Heritage Memorial Fund grant. A unique, record-breaking Triumph TR2...
Why bother buying, when lying is the alternative in the eco-transport arena?
IAIN ROBERTSON According to recent research commissioned by Kia Motors, no less than seven in 10 Brits feel pressured by family and friends to be more eco-friendly, reports Iain...
Gareth Butterfield plugs in for a ride in Hyundai’s all-electric Kona
WHETHER you like it or not, the electric car is here to stay. Very few of the mainstream manufacturers are ignoring the fact they’re selling well and there’s now...
The brilliant city-car madness of the new Fiat 500!
IAIN ROBERTSON Fiat-Chrysler Group (FCA) may be in a parlous position at present, with Gallic PSA Group lingering like a vulture awaiting its next meal, but Iain Robertson has...
Citroen returns to naming basics with the ‘plugliest’ duckling ever
IAIN ROBERTSON There is no hope of the latest Ami transforming into a beautiful swan, yet Iain Robertson believes that, once the retch reflex relaxes, its EV access...
New Octavia vRS adopts a PHEV route to Skoda eco-contentedness
IAIN ROBERTSON While the pictures are just teaser quality, the actual shots being heavily embargoed until Press Day at Geneva, Iain Robertson assures you that the forthcoming Octavia vRS...
AT-32, for when tough is not tough enough and Nissan manages the rough
IAIN ROBERTSON With memories of ‘Let’s off-road!’ ringing in his ears and worries that our snowflake generation has developed male appendage issues, Iain Robertson contemplates a manlier transport proposition...
Hyundai nails its i20 colours to the sensuously sporty mast
IAIN ROBERTSON As the parent of the South Korean Hyundai-Kia company, writes Iain Robertson, Hyundai has a constant internal battle to strengthen its role, while introducing purposeful new models...
A1 Citycarver adds another string to Audi’s bow, not that it needs one
IAIN ROBERTSON Never mind ‘what’s in a name’, what’s with the urban SUV look, asks Iain Robertson, who feels that the renowned German brand may be taking one step...
Kia divides opinion with duplicitous new Sorento
IAIN ROBERTSON Accepting that styling can be very deceptive, as well as being subjective, Iain Robertson feels that the latest large SUV from Kia, set to be introduced at...
Leon sales success leads to all-new Cupra line-up for Seat’s pinnacle brand
IAIN ROBERTSON Admitting that he should avoid the ‘S’ word in conjunction with the Spanish firm’s upmarket, high-performance, niche aspirations, Iain Robertson is concerned that bolstering the new ‘C’...
Gareth Butterfield tests the twin-engined Volvo V90 T8
THEY don’t seem to come around all that often, but I do have a soft spot for a properly fast Volvo. So imagine my delight when they said...
Leon undergoes comprehensive evolution for revitalised Seat
IAIN ROBERTSON Provided with an early opportunity to review the latest Seat Leon, Iain Robertson admits that it took a ‘double-take’ to appreciate that it is a completely new...