Jag F-Type V6S … Jeremy’s Jag … Whether you like Top Gear or not, whether you like the presenters or not, or even whether you think it’s a motoring programme or not, doesn’t matter, it provides a highly entertaining hour on TV in its own right. It can also be […] Read more »
12 Aug: MINI Paceman Cooper S
MINI Paceman Cooper S 1.6T … Just when you think BMW has milked the MINI idea for all it’s worth and couldn’t possibly wring out any more variations, along comes the Paceman. In fact this is the seventh version of the ‘original’ MINI which has gone through several transmogrifications with […] Read more »
02 Aug: Kia Carens 1.7 CRDi
Kia Carens 1.7 CRDi 6spd ISG … When you go on holiday you take a suitcase. If flying by a budget carrier, then you’re lucky if you can take anything bigger than a small ladies’ handbag or spectacle case and mankini. Similarly if you’re about to adjust the tappets on […] Read more »
09 Jul: Audi RS5 Cabriolet
This is not a standard car appraisal, but stick with it and you’ll see what I mean … Imagine. Your favourite granny has just passed away. The one that snuck you sweeties and pocket money when your Dad wasn’t about. The one that baked. Scones, pancakes and squidgy pudding. The […] Read more »
17 Jun: Peugeot 208 GTI
Peugeot 208 GTI … You won’t need a heart monitor for this racy little number. The 208 GTI is not a bum nipping, scary hot-hatch. The new Peugeot is more korma than vindaloo. But do not despair, it handles a treat and the performance is all the more usable for […] Read more »
14 Jun: Skoda Rapid SE 1.2
The Skoda Rapid is a bit like Father Ted’s cows. You know the story. The one where he explains to Dougal that the real cows are far away and he’s holding the toy cow in his hand. The Rapid is a bit like that. When you see it in the […] Read more »
12 Jun: Vauxhall Adam JAM 1.2i
I’m still undecided about the Vauxhall Adam. Unlike Fiat and MINI, Vauxhall didn’t previously have a highly successful and fashionable city car. The Nova was too plain and practical to be considered funky and the Agila looked like it had been carved out of a school canteen traybake. In other […] Read more »
12 Feb: Kia Cee-d Sportwagon 1.4
Numpty in a reasonably priced car …. This is the nearest I’ll ever get to appearing on ‘Top Gear’ driving ‘a reasonably priced car’, a Kia Cee’d. But this wasn’t the ‘hot’ 124 bhp, 1.6 litre petrol version as used by the Stig and his celebrities, this was the rather […] Read more »
04 Feb: Twingo Renaultsport 133
Renault Twingo Renaultsport 133 …. If ‘Mr Kipling’ makes exceedingly good small tarts, then Renault is the French automotive equivalent. It makes exceedingly good small cars. The Renault Twingo Renaultsport 133 is a case in point. It serves up the perfect example of the appropriate ingredients being used in the […] Read more »
23 Jan: Ford Focus ST-2
Picture the scene. Young man walks into Ford showroom and says: “I want to buy a Ford Focus ST.” “Certainly sir,” comes the response, “What colour?” Young man: “I’d like a racing blue one.” “No problem Sir.” Young man: “Does the 23 grand price tag include the Recaros?” “Yes, sir, […] Read more »