Day: January 22, 2017

Nissan Qashqai Review

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by Keith WR Jones The original Nissan Qashqai was a sales success in the way the iPhone was for Apple. It was one of the first cars to popularise the so-called crossover genre, blending the low-running costs of family hatchbacks with SUV looks, and becoming a commercial success in the process. Over two million have rolled off the production line since its launch in 2007. So the second-generation Nissan Qashqai had big shoes to fill, and bigger it is: wider and longer this time around, but it’s also lighter and more efficient, too. It’s a…

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Mercedes-Benz E-Class All-Terrain Review

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by Anthony ffrench-Constant Verdict Given that Mercedes’ ambition to fill every off-road niche is still a motor show reveal or two short of completion, you’d be forgiven for thinking it a mite odd that the company should suddenly peel off down the potential sales cul de sac of the off-road estate and introduce this E-Class All-Terrain. Established competition from Audi and Volvo Then again, with the E-Class already widely celebrated as a Jolly Good Thing, allied to the somewhat tardy recognition that the likes of the Audi A6 Allroad and Volvo’s V90 Cross Country have…

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Volkswagen Beetle Hatchback 2012 up Review

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 Verdict Following on from the successful Scirocco is another retro-inspired Volkswagen, the Beetle. Almost 22 million original Beetles were built, making it one of the most successful cars of all time. The next 1999 re-imagination wasn’t quite as popular, with just over one million sold, as issues like poor interior space and questionable styling cut its appeal. This latest model, which shares many parts with the Golf, aims to improve on the previous generation by offering more equipment and improved levels of practicality; including a boot that’s 44% bigger than…

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MINI Cooper S Review 2007 up R56

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 Verdict The MINI Cooper S has an historic name stretching all the way back to the early days of the small car’s history. However, there is nothing old fashioned about the latest Cooper S, offering both petrol and diesel engines with strong performance. This is allied to economy and emissions that are bang up to date, while the interior of the MINI continues to offer a unique style that has helped make it a sales hit from the moment BMW first relaunched the MINI brand in 2001. Style and substance While some may mumble…

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Audi A1 Hatchback Review 2010 up

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 Verdict A small Audi is big news in the car world. Signalling the brand’s first ever head-to-head battle with MINI – a car made by Audi’s arch enemy, BMW – the new A1 takes a very different, grown-up approach. Instead of focusing on fun, the A1 smacks of classy sophistication. There’s the usual soft-touch materials and leather dotted around the cabin along with some excellent technology on offer too. Quite frankly, nothing in its small premium class looks and feels so expensive behind the wheel even though underneath the smart-suited A1 is…

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