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...
Gareth Butterfield tries out the plug-in hybrid Volvo S60 T8 AWD
FOR reasons I’m not quite sure of, the saloon car has fallen out of favour in the UK. Estates seem to be clinging on for dear life and the...
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...
Gareth Butterfield tests MG’s new ‘sweet spot’ the HS SUV.
EVERY now and again, you step into a car and it surprises you. It might be because of some outlandish new design feature, a clever piece of new tech,...
Harry’s Ramblings. Tickets for my Hero
by Harry Pope When I was a lad I was a junior marshal for the British Automobile Racing Club. That meant that I went round to various circuits, mainly...
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...
Harry’s Ramblings Don’t buy that Limousine
by Harry Pope When I entered the funeral profession in 1977, the first vehicle I was allocated was a 1966 Austin Princess limousine. I hated that car, it was...
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...
The British Motor Museum Reopens!
Ann Evans reports on more good news with the British Motor Museum’s phased reopening. The British Motor Museum at Gaydon, Warwickshire is delighted to announce that it has...
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...
In these tough times, let me put a VW eBulli smile on your face!
IAIN ROBERTSON While hardly a money-no-object exercise, writes Iain Robertson, sourcing a clean, original VW campervan, notably of the rare 20-window type, and then converting it from flat-four to...
Why the hell would anybody need ‘La Shed Electrique’ from Peugeot?
IAIN ROBERTSON The prospect of catching a jitney service between hotel and travel terminal, only for it to give up the ghost causing you to miss a vital connection...
Et voila! Renault Clio.
IT’S hard to believe that the first Renault Clios burst onto the scene, helped along by “Nicole” and her “Papa” in the TV adverts, 30 years ago. And just...
Detailing your vehicle as a means to counteract Covid-19 impact
IAIN ROBERTSON Whether you drive a new Suzuki, or an eight years old Range Rover, Iain Robertson suggests that providing it with a detailed spruce-up is a great way...
Awaking from the pandemic? Need to drive somewhere? Check your vehicle carefully!
IAIN ROBERTSON In an era of tumbled statues, rumbled bigots and grumblers on either side of the sexual divide, Iain Robertson, with more than a sniff of assistance...
Fear ye not, Merc traditionalists, the MC Hammer of super saloons is back
IAIN ROBERTSON Having reviewed recently the latest BMW M5, Iain Robertson could sense the air of inevitability that a hot Mercedes-Benz would be just around the corner and he...
The impertinent self-satisfaction of brown bread and an ultimate BMW
IAIN ROBERTSON Munich car giant, BMW, has announced the latest version of its finest all-round M5 Competition performance saloon and Iain Robertson reveals the visceral pleasure attached to its...
Audi endured racing success for more than two decades
IAIN ROBERTSON The pandemic has upset the plans of many companies and events, not the least in the field of motorsport, which Iain Robertson suggests has been decimated by...
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 for...
VW takes R to largely unnecessary extremes with top-spec, plug-in Touareg
IAIN ROBERTSON Someone important at VW and it might as well be its performance division boss, Jost Capito, marvels Iain Robertson, has been on a ragga tip of late,...
Politics, funnelling, ‘1984’ and Volvo’s electric XC40
IAIN ROBERTSON Volvo, a Swedish accented Chinese carmaker, is set to introduce the Recharge P8 version of its compact-ish and very stylish XC40 in early-2021, highlights Iain Robertson, as...
BMW turns ‘transverstite’ for its new 2-Series kid on the block
IAIN ROBERTSON Reducing conveniently its long-standing, rear-driven ‘Driver’s Car’ remit, highlights Iain Robertson, for one of greater accessibility, provides benefits that some traditionalists will find hard to swallow on...
VW takes R to largely unnecessary extremes with top-spec, plug-in Touareg
IAIN ROBERTSON Someone important at VW and it might as well be its performance division boss, Jost Capito, marvels Iain Robertson, has been on a ragga tip of late,...
Gareth Butterfield tests Kia’s eco-conscious Niro Hybrid
DESPITE its arguably dull looks, the Niro, Kia’s dumpy small SUV, seems to have become a showcase for the Korean firm’s technological advances. It’s a bit of a stand-out...
DS9…Gallic dream machine, or Cloud-Cuckooland?
IAIN ROBERTSON Were ‘street presence’ the only success parameter required by a carmaker, Iain Robertson is of the belief that French manufacturers would have it sewn-up but, in the...
Lunaz electrification, or EV Loonies? You decide.
IAIN ROBERTSON Established in 2018, a Silverstone-based EV conversion specialist possessing a pedigree steeped in prestige and classic marques, as well as leading motorsport developments, is making hay on...
Mazda and me; almost 50% of Mazda’s impressive ‘ton’.
IAIN ROBERTSON As a car mad youngster, Iain Robertson was conscious of one Japanese carmaker’s often tangential approach to the world car scene, a reputation cemented in recent times...