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While we were away, the EC40 was excellent. The simplicity of the infotainment and tech suits me perfectly, and it’s a comfortable, practical car with a smooth motorway ride. I’ve spoken with colleagues about my love of Volvo and wondered if I’m the only one. Many of them have been behind the wheel of the latest models, including the EX90. Therefore, while they agree that our EC40 ticks many boxes, they feel the infotainment and screen size seem a little dated, as does the cabin. Happy to be behind the curve, I’m still thoroughly impressed by the understated usability of…
It’s better when there’s some charge in the battery, but the small 11.4kWh pack only has an official range of 30 miles, so you don’t have to travel very far before the petrol engine kicks in. And when the motor does fire up, it can become pretty coarse, especially under hard acceleration. There’s plenty of urge once you’re moving, but it’s not the most pleasant experience. Advertisement – Article continues belowThe rest of the drive isn’t a patch on newer rivals, either. There’s good grip and the ride is reasonable on those small wheels, but body roll is pronounced and…
The subject of our 2025 summer tyre test is the best-selling 18-inch tyre, the 225/40 R18. It’s three years since we last put this size through the comprehensive Auto Express test regime and back then there were Covid-related supply issues that saw some big names absent. It was a close contest, with the Bridgestone Potenza Sport just seeing off the Goodyear Eagle Asymmetric 6 for the win, with the Maxxis Victra Sport 5 a healthy third. Advertisement – Article continues belowBoth Bridgestone and Goodyear are back again this year and they’re up against a strong group. Among the competition are…
Of course, those EV miles aren’t free, but on an off-peak electricity tariff you’ll get 40-odd miles for not far shy of £1.50. At the UK’s current average domestic electricity price of 24.8p/kWh, it’s more like a fiver. That’s a little more punchy, but (by my maths) roughly the same as a combustion car doing 45mpg. Powertrain aside, this Touring fits that age-old cliché of ‘all the car you’ll ever need’ almost as well as any model I’ve run over the past 15 years; the boot’s massive, the seats are comfortable and there are just enough luxuries to keep my…
The red-lined carbon bucket seats keep you secure, and the clever knee pads mounted on the centre console and doors help prevent bruises after an intense track session. The interior is otherwise as you’ll find in the standard Supra. Advertisement – Article continues belowThis is an intimate little cabin, with a narrow windscreen and high-set dash that can be slightly intimidating at first. In front of the driver is a small pair of screens, with the main infotainment display clearly borrowed from BMW. However, the new seats and copious amounts of red Alcantara do just about enough to make it…
2023 FordFocus6,241 milesAutomaticPetrol1.0LCash £16,900View Focus2022 KiaNiro26,752 milesAutomaticPetrol1.6LCash £16,999View Niro2024 SEATLeon45,196 milesManualPetrol1.5LCash £13,100View LeonUsed at the suggested dilution rate of just 50ml per litre, the Scrubb’s cleaning of our patches of grubby drive was behind that of some others in this test, but it is also exceptionally economical. Used neat on the oil patches, it excelled, however, and its other cleaning powers improved when the concentration was doubled – which still made it cheaper to use than most of its rivals here. It’s also friendlier on the environment, with a lower acid content. This means you can use a jet wash…
The Daihatsu Copen (2003-2009) is another kei car that was sold in the UK officially. This one has an electrically retractable hard top – but watch out for rot. The Mazda MX-5 is another model to shortlist, because it’s much more readily available, great fun to drive and even relatively practical. What to look forRust in peace The Cappuccino was poorly rustproofed, so corrosion is common. Look for rot in the floorpans, sills and wheelarches, although it’s often hidden by the plastic lower panels, which are purely cosmetic. Panel work The roof panels, boot lid and bonnet are made of…
Another Amazon best seller, the shades in this Caramaz twin pack use the common suction pad fixing method. The panels are longer and darker than cheaper rivals, which means they block out more of the sun’s harmful rays once they’re fitted. The shades can be quickly folded and stored in a supplied bag, too. But the Caramaz blinds are let down by suction cup clips that aren’t up to the job of holding the panel in place. It means it’s difficult to justify the price. Buy now from Amazon Carkit Sun Shade SetPrice: around £1.99 (twin pack) Size: 45cm x…
Few names stir the hearts of automotive enthusiasts like Ferrari, and among its storied history, a handful of classic models rise above the rest—prized not only for their performance and design but also for their rarity and investment potential. Here are the top five Ferraris that command collectors’ attention—and wallets. Ferrari 250 GTO (1962–1964) Topping the list, the 250 GTO is often dubbed the “Holy Grail” of Ferraris. Just 36 units were built, each handpicked by Enzo Ferrari and his U.S. dealer Luigi Chinetti. Its racing pedigree, elegant design by Scaglietti, and immense rarity have driven prices to staggering heights—one…
Garagisti & Co., a British newcomer with big ambitions, has just unveiled the GP1—a machine that could easily be mistaken for one of Italy’s most legendary supercars if you weren’t paying attention. With its 6.6-liter naturally aspirated V-12, six-speed manual transmission, and feather-light one-ton weight, the GP1 is a deliberate throwback to the analog glory days of the ’80s, ’90s, and early 2000s. Under the carbon-fiber skin, the bespoke V-12 is good for an estimated 789 brake horsepower. That’s a staggering figure when you remember the GP1 tips the scales at just around 2,200 pounds. With rear-wheel drive and a…