Alex Grant
Autumn Statement: 3% diesel BiK levy extended until 2021
The levy was originally due to have been dropped from next April, levelling the rates for diesel and petrol vehicles in recognition of Euro 6 emissions … Read More »
NOx fixes confirmed for VW Group diesel engines
Presented to the Federal Motor Transport Authority in Germany, the updates so far concern the 1.6 and 2.0-litre four-cylinder Euro 5 diesel engines, and enable all … Read More »
Mazda targets fleets with 99g/km 1.5-litre diesel Mazda3
The 103bhp 1.5-litre SKYACTIV-D diesel engine is shared with the Mazda2 and CX-3 crossover, and is the first time the Mazda3 has been available with an … Read More »
Tax disincentives needed for diesels, says new report
Launched in response to Defra’s draft plans to reduce air pollution, published in September, the committee says next week’s Autumn Statement should incentivise vehicles which emit … Read More »
North East Ambulance Service adds Nissan LEAF pool cars to fleet
The vehicles replace five conventionally powered models, and will be supported by a network of nine charging points across the region, the first UK installations by … Read More »
Ford previews updated Kuga
Under the carmaker’s ‘World Car’ programme, the European Kuga crossover and Escape sold in North America have been largely the same car since the current generation … Read More »
Fleet popularity helps more than double Focus ST UK sales
The company said has sold 6,700 so far this year, a 172.4% increase (3,240 units) on the 2,460 sold in the whole of 2014, with 45% … Read More »
Toyota Mirai eligible for OLEV plug-in car grant
The Mirai offers a 300-mile range using hydrogen to produce electricity which drives its wheels. Refuelling takes a few minutes, and the only exhaust emission is … Read More »
New Toyota Prius to emit 70g/km CO2
Although these are pre-homologation figures, it means the most efficient versions of the Prius will fall into the 9% BiK band and be exempt from the … Read More »
Interview: Paul Philpott, president & CEO, Kia Motors UK
How is 2015 shaping up so far? We’re on track to do about 80,000 units this year, that’s the first time we’ve broken through 80,000. Last … Read More »
First Drive: Audi A4
Audi’s high-tech new saloon makes choosing a compact executive even tougher, says Alex Grant.
Kia outlines plans for hybrid and plug-in Optimas
Kia hasn’t confirmed whether the Optima Hybrid will make it to right-hand drive markets but has said the car will launch in Europe in early 2016 … Read More »
Kia to launch sub-90g/km hybrid crossover
Unveiled as a pair of sketches, it’s likely that the Niro will be positioned in the B-SUV segment against the Nissan Juke, though Kia hasn’t confirmed … Read More »
BMW UK confirms four PHEVs by next summer
The first, the 225xe Active Tourer, arrives in March 2016 with a choice of Sport and Luxury trim levels. This uses a 134bhp three-cylinder petrol engine … Read More »
Road Test: Kia Sorento KX-2 Manual
Sector: Large SUV Price: £31,995 Fuel: 46.3mpg CO2: 161g/km Recent brand evolution may have overshadowed it, but the Sorento was a game-changer for Kia when it … Read More »
CO2 'irregularities' could affect 800,000 Volkswagen Group vehicles
In its statement, the group said the tests had shown fuel consumption and CO2 emissions figures had been set too low during the certification process. Although … Read More »
Road Test: Jaguar XE R-Sport Auto (180PS)
Sector: Compact Executive Price: £34,775 Fuel: 67.3mpg CO2: 109g/km Something different. It’s the Jaguar XE’s selling point compact executive segment. An option for drivers who want … Read More »
EPA: defeat devices also fitted to 3.0 TDI VW engines
Issued on Monday, the EPA said the engine – fitted to 2014, 2015 and 2016 model year vehicles in the United States – was capable of … Read More »
Road Test: Ford Focus ST-2 2.0 TDCi Estate
Sector: Lower Medium Price: £25,345 Fuel: 67.3mpg CO2: 110g/km XR, ST, RS, Cosworth – Ford has an impressive history of bringing performance to the masses. An … Read More »
Road Test: Fiat 500X 1.6 MultiJet 120hp Lounge
Sector: Compact Crossover Price: £20,845 Fuel: 68.9mpg CO2: 109g/km Despite the ever-broadening choice of segments and bodystyles on offer, some cars launch with all the right … Read More »
Interview: Ken Ramirez, MD, Renault UK
What are your plans for next year? Next year is an important year for us. We’ve already outgrown the market this year, we’ve had 17% growth … Read More »
Interview: Jim Wright, MD, Nissan Motor GB
How has 2015 been for Nissan, so far? In terms of car share, we’re about 5.8% which is about 0.6% up year-on-year, and in fleet it’s … Read More »
Road Test: Peugeot 308 GT BlueHDI 180
Sector: Lower Medium Price: £25,945 Fuel: 70.6mpg CO2: 103g/km A credible range of performance cars speaks volumes about a brand – able to appeal not only … Read More »
Road Test: Skoda Fabia 1.2 TSI (90PS) SE
Sector: Supermini Price: £13,390 Fuel: 60.1mpg CO2: 107g/km Skoda may have gone back to straight lines with the new Fabia, but what’s underneath that creased new … Read More »
The Volkswagen Scandal
What is Volkswagen accused of? Cheating to get its 2.0-litre diesel engine through the emissions tests needed to sell a car in the United States. … Read More »
Driving, Unwired
What is it? World-first trials of a wireless charging system which can top up electric vehicle batteries as they drive are about to begin in the … Read More »
Road Test: Mercedes-Benz CLA 200 d Shooting Brake
Sector: Lower Medium Price: £29,225 Fuel: 68.9mpg CO2: 106g/km Given the size and scope of the increasingly multi-faceted C-segment, the recent switch to a sharable platform … Read More »
Road Test: Mercedes-Benz CLS 220 d Shooting Brake
Sector: Executive Price: £47,895 Fuel: 56.5mpg CO2: 132g/km With its three-pointed crosshair aimed firmly at Audi and BMW, Mercedes-Benz is out to grow its share of … Read More »
Road Test: Volkswagen Passat SE Business 2.0 TDI 150PS DSG
Sector: Upper Medium Price: £26,840 Fuel: 64.2mpg CO2: 116g/km The lines between premium and volume brands are increasingly blurred, but the Volkswagen Passat is still slotted … Read More »
First Drive: Volvo S60/V60 Cross Country
Sector: Upper medium Price: £30,195–£38,025 Fuel: 49.6–67.3mpg CO2: 111–149g/km Volvo might seem like a late arrival to the cladded D-segment, but it pioneered this niche with … Read More »
