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Road Test: BMW XI

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:00:01 GMT

BMW says the X1, its new compact SUV, has no rivals. You might find that strange; I certainly do, because I can think of several. But BMWs aren't as other cars, we are told. The rivals I have in mind are not "premium". They are to be traded up from, not compared with.

Lexus LFA

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:01 GMT

Shut your eyes and think of a Lexus. What do you see? And what do you hear? My guess is something smooth, glossy, trimmed in sumptuous leather and wood, making almost no noise and oozing luxury. It might even be a hybrid, adding a social conscience to the sybaritism.

Citroën C3

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 23:00:01 GMT

It sounds like a new sort of computer game, but it is not. It's a windscreen. Meet Visiodrive, the supermini vista concept which lets you look at the sky as easily as the road ahead (not at the same time, please). It's hard to come up with a new idea for a small hatchback, and too often carmakers are reduced to precarious claims of ever-lower CO2, ever-higher quality and ever-cooler lifestyle promises, but here is something you can really see.

Peugeot 5008

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 23:00:41 GMT

Peugeot has never made a unique MPV before. The hefty 806 and 807 people-carriers were/are the same as certain Fiats and Citroëns apart from the badges.

Motoring: Peugeot 5008

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 23:00:41 GMT

Peugeot has never made a unique MPV before. The hefty 806 and 807 people-carriers were/are the same as certain Fiats and Citroëns apart from the badges.

Kia Cee'd 2 1.6 CRDi EcoDynamics

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 13:12:56 GMT

Subaru Legacy

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 23:00:01 GMT

Here is the new Subaru Legacy, flying the flag once again for Subaru's faith in a flat-four engine and four-wheel drive. Look at it, and straight away you can see it's got problems. It is longer, wider, taller, bigger in every way than the old one, although the old one was plenty big enough for nearly every purpose. Now has become just inconveniently bulky. Like estate cars wearing Mondeo or Insignia badges, the Legacy now needs to be berthed rather than merely parked.

Skoda Superb Greenline

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 09:55:14 GMT

Road test: Skoda Superb Greenline

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 09:55:14 GMT

Mazda 3 MPS

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 23:00:01 GMT

Speed is not enough. The first incarnation of the Mazda 3 MPS had plenty of that. With 260bhp ready to pour through its front wheels, it set a new land-speed record for an off-the-shelf hot hatchback while nudging the boundaries of tractive ability in a way only since exceeded by the current Ford Focus RS.

BMW 535i GT

Sat, 26 Sep 2009 23:00:01 GMT

Let no market niche remain unfilled. Let no distinction be unblurred. Let no genre-defining name be safe. Meet BMW's new 5-series Gran Turismo.

Audi R8 V10

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 23:00:01 GMT

Price: £99,580
Top speed: 196mph 0-60mph 3.9 seconds
Consumption: 21mpg
CO2 emissions: 351g/km
Best for: Attention seekers
Also worth considering? Lamborghini Gallardo; Aston Martin Vantage; Porsche 911 Turbo

Alfa Mito

Sat, 19 Sep 2009 23:00:27 GMT

Most things that are likely to be invented have been by now, we sometimes think.

Road test: Alfa Mito

Sat, 19 Sep 2009 23:00:27 GMT

Most things that are likely to be invented have been by now, we sometimes think.

KWE Jaguar XJS V12

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 23:00:01 GMT

Motoring: KWE Jaguar XJS V12

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 23:00:01 GMT

Jaguar XF 3.0 Diesel Sport Portfolio

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:17:53 GMT

Price: £44,200
Engine: 3.0 litre V6 turbodiesel
Transmission: six-speed automatic
Top speed: artificially limited to 155 mph
Acceleration: 0-60mph in 5.9 seconds
Fuel consumption: 42.0 mpg (combined cycle)
CO2 emissions: 179 g/km, meets latest Euro 5 standard
Rivals: Audi A6, BMW 5 Series, Mercedes E Class Price: £44,200
Engine: 3.0 litre V6 turbodiesel
Transmission: six-speed automatic
Top speed: artificially limited to 155 mph
Acceleration: 0-60mph in 5.9 seconds
Fuel consumption: 42.0 mpg (combined cycle)
CO2 emissions: 179 g/km, meets latest Euro 5 standard
Rivals: Audi A6, BMW 5 Series, Mercedes E Class

Motoring: Jaguar XF 3.0 Diesel Sport Portfolio

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:17:53 GMT

Porsche Panamera

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 23:00:01 GMT

There are certain visual tricks that make a Porsche look like a Porsche. Dr Michael Steiner, director of the new Porsche Panamera "product line", is reminding me what they are. "A classic Porsche has a rear engine," he is saying, "so the bonnet is low with the wings higher on either side. The bonnet is narrower at the front. There are no sharp edges and no upper radiator opening, just a single lower intake. At the back, there are wide shoulders and the rear window tapers."

Porsche Panamera

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 23:00:01 GMT

Motoring: Porsche Panamera

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 23:00:01 GMT

Danbury VW Type 2

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 23:00:01 GMT

Motoring: Danbury VW Type 2

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 23:00:01 GMT

Seat Ibiza Cupra

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 23:00:01 GMT

This week, it's Seat's very own, in-house carbon offset programme, featuring two new Seat Ibizas. One, which we'll come to later, is the Ibiza Ecomotive, the latest version of the low-CO2 car familiar as a prize-draw inducement with every tax-disc renewal demand. Under 100g/km CO2 rating, free road tax – how will the DVLA fund itself with this sort of carry-on?

Motoring: Seat Ibiza Cupra

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 23:00:01 GMT