Alex Grant
First Drive: BMW 3 Series
Sector: Compact Executive Price: £24,975–£41,665 Fuel: 38.2–74.3mpg CO2: 99–179g/km BMW might seem focused on niche models, but the 3 Series is a reminder that its core … Read More »
First Drive: BMW X1
Sector: Crossover Price: £31,225–£36,060 Fuel: 44.8–65.7mpg CO2: 114–146g/km BMW managed to beat its direct rivals to the crossover segment with the X1, and it’s done well … Read More »
Technology in Focus
Driverless Cars The next decade will bring huge advances in autonomous vehicles, from driver assistance systems to the first ‘driverless’ production models expected in 2025. In … Read More »
Road Test: SEAT Leon X-Perience 2.0 TDI SE Technology
Sector: Lower Medium Price: £26,905 Fuel: 58.9mpg CO2: 125g/km In a range targeting style-conscious young buyers, crossovers seem suspicious by their absence in the SEAT line-up. … Read More »
Road Test: Audi A7 S line Ultra
Sector: Executive Price: £48,705 Fuel: 57.6mpg CO2: 128g/km There’s plenty of direct rivalry between even the niche models of the ‘Big Three’ German premium manufacturers, but … Read More »
Road Test: Volkswagen Polo GTI
Volkswagen Polo GTI Sector: Supermini Price: £18,900 (£19,530 5dr) Fuel: 47.1mpg CO2: 139g/km Almost 40 years ago, Volkswagen defined what has since become the formula for hot … Read More »
Fleet and petrol registrations outstrip UK market growth
A total of 178,420 vehicles were registered in the UK during July, up 3.2% on last year, with the largest percentage increase among fleets, up 6.4% … Read More »
First Drive: Volkswagen Sharan
Sector: Large MPV Price: £26,300–£36,280 Fuel: 42.2–56.5mpg CO2: 130–156g/km Over a two-decade lifespan, Volkswagen has carved out some surprisingly broad global niches for the Sharan. The … Read More »
Mobile management
Eco Maps Via an easy search function, Eco Maps intelligently creates itineraries which plot the most time and fuel-efficient way between destinations, presenting multiple options if … Read More »
Safety upgrades for Aygo and Yaris
The features form part of the Toyota Safety Sense package, introduced on the refreshed Avensis and Auris earlier this year, but previously unavailable on smaller models. … Read More »
Fleets warned about expensive repairs for two-tone alloy wheels
Contract hire company, Activa Contracts, part of the Arnold Clark Group, says the finish is being offered by at least a dozen different manufacturers, either as … Read More »
First Drive: Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class
Sector: SUV Price: £49,280–£96,555 Fuel: 23.9–76.4mpg CO2: 78–278g/km While new niches seem to be de rigeur for the German premium brands at the moment, the GLE-Class … Read More »
Global warming a concern but carbon taxes are unpopular, survey shows
The Institution of Mechanical Engineers and ICM Unlimited poll surveyed 2,009 people, finding 57% were concerned about global warming, with 14% claiming to be ‘very worried’ … Read More »
First Drive: Toyota Avensis
Sector: Upper Medium Price: £17,765–£28,440 Fuel: 45.6–67.3mpg CO2: 108–143g/km Toyota reckons word of mouth plays a big part in maintaining and building the customer base for … Read More »
Audi, BMW and Daimler to co-acquire Nokia mapping subsidiary
HERE offers a multitude of services based on historic and real-time traffic movement data, including last-mile navigation and the ability to predict delays based on the … Read More »
First Drive: Renault Kadjar
It’s a late arrival, but Renault is joining the crossover set at the top of the class, says Alex Grant.Sector: Crossover Price: £17,995–£26,295 Fuel: 48.7–74.3mpg CO2: … Read More »
Electric car share scheme goes live in Northamptonshire hospital
Berrywood Hospital in Dunston, Campbell House in Northampton and St. Mary’s Hospital in Kettering have deployed two vehicles each, which will all be available for public … Read More »
First Drive: BMW 1 Series
Sector: Lower Medium Price: £20,245-£31,730 Fuel: 35.3–83.1mpg CO2: 89–188g/km It’s a little under four years since BMW launched the second-generation 1 Series, which says a lot … Read More »
First Tesla Superchargers to UK motorway network
Two bays are now operating at South Mimms, near the M1/M25 junction north of London, with a further six bays per site at Oxford Services on … Read More »
Cheshire East Council to see major savings after deploying EVs on fleet
Councillor Les Gilbert, Cabinet member for communities, has authorised officers to apply for a 75% grant to fund the new additions. With lower fuel and maintenance … Read More »
First Drive: Ford S-Max
Sector: Large MPV Price: £24,545–£32,945 Fuel: 31.7–56.5mpg CO2: 129–204g/km The outgoing Ford S-Max was one of those segment-busting vehicles which could so easily have not worked. … Read More »
Double Vision
What is it? Billed as an alternative to a fixed head-up display, MINI has developed a prototype augmented reality display built into a headset which … Read More »
Tesla Model S gains range, performance and £51k entry version
The latest additions to the electric luxury car's line-up begin with a single motor 70kWh version, priced at £50,800 after the Plug-in Car Grant. This is … Read More »
Renault adds long-range version to ZOE line-up
With the R240 motor, named after its range in kilometres, the ZOE offers a class-leading 149-mile range from a single charge, based on the New European … Read More »
Interview: Jaguar Land Rover UK managing director Jeremy Hicks
A few feet away from the global unveil of the Jaguar XF at the New York International Auto Show, Jeremy Hicks is feeling confident. And he … Read More »
First Drive: Honda Civic
SECTOR: Lower medium PRICE: £15,975–£26,970 FUEL: 42.8–78.5mpg CO2: 94–155g/km Honda has had a tough time in Europe recently. Prioritising hybrids over diesels and without a sporty … Read More »
Half-year ULEV registrations pass 2014 total
According to Go Ultra Low, in the period between January and the end of June, 14,586 vehicles eligible for the government’s Plug-in Car Grant were registered … Read More »
First Drive: Ford C-Max/Grand C-Max
SECTOR: Compact MPV PRICE: £18,195–£27,615 FUEL: 44.0–68.9mpg CO2: 105–149g/km The recent boom in vehicle segments means traditional five-door hatchback customers needing more space have never had … Read More »
Fiat targets fleet growth with all-new Focus rival
Luca Napolitano, head of brand for Europe, Middle East and Africa, told Fleet World that the as-yet-unnamed new model would be offered as a hatchback and … Read More »
Road Test: Mazda2 1.5 (90PS) SE-L Nav
Sector: Supermini Price: £15,045 Fuel: 62.8mpg CO2: 105g/km With Mazda’s recent focus on the advantages of its weight-reducing, economy-boosting SKYACTIV Technology, it’s easy to forget that … Read More »
