At that point, some time ago, I was talking in purely theoretical terms. Having come very close to buying an Aston Martin 30 years ago and having known many Aston owners, I am painfully aware that having “a bit of money” is nothing like enough to keep one of those highest of all high-maintenance cars. You need an oil well […]
Audi A1 Sportback 30 TFSI, in its own special way
“That’s a very ordinary-looking car at the door,” said my wife. “If it weren’t for the Audi badge, you wouldn’t think it was special in any way.” Far be it from me to question a higher authority but, while there is undeniable truth in Her Majesty’s observation, the fact is that the Audi A1 Sportback is special in almost every […]
Fiat 500 Dolcevita, Italian glamour in a small package
It’s celebration time once again for the Fiat 500. A ritzy new special edition model, the 500 Dolcevita, was launched with a flourish recently in Rome. With this latest iteration of the hi-fashion 500, Fiat has taken the heady days and glamour of Italy in the go-go sixties as its central theme. The 500 Dolcevita thus comes to market with […]
A day with the FCA Range
FCA. It stands for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. Not terribly original. Just another set of letters that don’t even acronym nicely. So, why not, considering that the group is actually comprised of Fiat, Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler and Jeep, FARJAC?! Or CARAFAJ…more of a ring to that one. Maybe even a new brand-name to copyright. Whatever, FCA invited us to a […]
Reviewed – Suzuki Swift Attitude 2019
The Suzuki Swift is a massive seller for the Japanese carmaker. And now it anticipates the up-to-the-minute Swift Attitude will lift sales further. The special-edition model is predicted to account for 40 per cent of all Swift sales in the United Kingdom during the rest of 2019 and beyond. The £14,599 Swift Attitude is modelled around the mid-specification SZ-T grade, […]
Suzuki Jimny, the most endearing and entertaining car of the year
View PostLexus LS 500h luxury express, reviewed
Lexus, believes the fifth incarnation of the LS can make even more of an impression. The situation helped, by the current demonization of diesel and the ever-growing constraints on motoring around urban areas on everything other than electrical energy. Speaking of power, the Lexus LS 500h hybrid combines a 299PS 3.5-litre V6 petrol lump with a couple of electric motors, […]
All-New Toyota Camry Reviewed, a bit of a star
View PostLand Rover Discovery Sport Review
Not so long ago, the arrival of a new Discovery Sport for a week’s loan would be a moment of unbridled celebration. “How lucky we are!” we would have told each other, while our neighbours looked sourly over the fence at the evidence of our abundant good fortune or studiously stared at their feet when we drove past. Now, alas, […]
Citroen C5 Aircross Reviewed
Orange highlights on the Citroen C5 Aircross…on any car they always make me feel faintly itchy, as if a wasp is crawling under my shirt on the skin between my shoulder blades. Like light tan shoes with a dark suit, they strike me as a fashion solecism which will look embarrassingly daft in about ten minutes from now. They are […]
SEAT Cupra Ateca, that’s impressive
View PostFerrari Portofino – the Italian thoroughbred GT
If you were to sit down and sketch the archetypal GT car, it would probably look a lot like the Ferrari Portofino: Classic front-engined proportions, 2+2 seating and enough room to whisk its occupants from Milan to Monte Carlo in comfort and style. And yet the Portofino’s predecessor, the California raised a few eyebrows when it first appeared in 2008. […]
Fiat 500 Star AND Rockstar
Time has served the Fiat 500 well, of that there’s no doubt. On sale in a grandiose variety of forms since 2007, the Fiat 500 is still out there looking good. Yes, still one of the most fashionable and iconic small cars around. Fiat, however, is not standing still and two new top of the range versions of the 500 […]
