April 5, 2013

Review: Dacia Duster Access 1.6 16v 105 4X4

What is value for money these days? With supermarkets producing special offers that only save you a penny and in store sales that actually run all year round, finding a genuine bargain out in the big bad world is actually much easier said than done. Are the days of coming home smug with your purchase over? Not if new brand to the UK, Dacia, have anything to say about it.

Dacia are a sub-brand of Renault and as a result you can stroll into any diamond insignia branded building and order a Dacia, or if you have one get any maintenance done. The other up shot of this close relationship is that Dacia gets access to Renaults parts bin and doesn’t have to pay costly sums for development. This saving is then passed onto the consumer. This is the Dacia Duster Access and thanks to all of the above it is the cheapest 4X4 on the market by quite a long way.

The Duster is a well sized piece of kit seating five in relative comfort and offering ample room for a dog or two in the boot. Visibility is great and that much desired high driving position is most welcome. This Access model is the entry level car and though it doesn’t come with any toys what so ever, not even a stereo, it does offer a punchy 1.6 litre petrol engine and all wheel drive. The idea of the Access on any Dacia is that it is literally the cheapest that they can make the car whilst still producing a quality product. It might have wind-up windows but the seating is comfortable and there is no denying its practicality. The cost of moving up a trim level if this is a little too basic is only £500 and remembering that this 4X4 model starts at only £10,995 the upgrade wouldn’t exactly break the bank. An interesting note is that if you don’t really need a 4X4 function you can claim the 4X2 model from £8,995 which is just incredible value for what you get. An option 7 year warranty that stays with the is also available.

 On the open road the Duster moves will with the petrol engine more than capable of getting the car up to speed. It revs freely and the 105BHP it produces never leaves you feeling underpowered. Though road and wind noise is more noticeable in the Dusters most basic form, it is far from unbearable. The car feels very sure of itself going through corners and body roll is kept at bay rather well for a car of its size. Feedback from the wheel is good and that purposeful suspension has no problem dealing with our rutted roads. Grip levels are high allowing for confident driving whilst at the wheel. Twisting the dial to the 4WD mode and heading off the beaten path doesn’t phase this car either as it has genuine off-road credentials. Our test car trawled up boggy paths and climbed up and over some demanding obstacles with no issues what so ever. It is clear that the Duster isn’t some budget basement machine, but a genuinely impressive tool that leads you to think how its competitors justify their asking price. This six speed manual petrol model not only has a pleasant gear change, but will also do 35MPG meaning it should also have a pleasant effect on your wallet.

This Duster Access is a brilliantly humble machine and just does what it says on the tin. For the money you can’t beat it and in comparison with its closest rivals it quite often leaves you in awe that a car costing this little could ever challenge the establishment. Dacia say that 40% of all Dusters sold are the 4X4 model suggesting that many buyers are looking for a car that can handle the rough stuff. I admire the Duster for its honesty and pure utilitarian persona. Watch this space because if Dacia carry on in the way they have begun you could well see many many more of them on the road.

Review: Dacia Sandero Ambiance tCe 90

There are a lot of fast cars out there; from a speed icon like the BMW M3, to a thumping great Mustang up to the eye-wateringly beautiful (but expensive) Lamborghini Aventador, there’s something for everyone. But that’s a lie. There isn’t something for everyone because not everyone can go out and spend a cool £60,000 on an M3 or stroll into a Lamborghini dealership and leave with the keys to one of their raging bulls. Alas, it seems that for those that want to have some brand new fun on a budget you are stuck trawling through the pages of your local FreeAds or on internet auction sites.

So I’m sure you can understand that the words that suddenly appeared in my head when I first set eyes on this little eastern European were not going to be anything like ‘speed-demon’ or ‘howling fun’ or ‘mind-blowingly quick’. Despite this, I took to the wheel and as the mileometer started ticking over it suddenly dawned on me that I’d been driving for miles with a ridiculous smile on my face. How had this little Dacia given me the same feeling that I get thundering around in a car that costs ten times as much? For goodness sake, it didn’t even have electric rear windows! A quick stop at the side of the road was in need, I had to see what sort of V6 monster was powering this thing.

But no! Under the bonnet you’ll find a cheery little 900cc 3 cylinder petrol engine that hoofs out 90bhp and will get you to 60 in 11.1 seconds.It will even do 109MPH… Eventually. This engine can also be found in Renault’s brand new Clio, but unlike in the Clio this Sandero weighs about as much shoelace. You can expect anywhere from 45mpg around town to a respectable 65mpg going downhill in 5th gear and with it sitting in tax band C you won’t be breaking the bank every 12 months either. It really did take my breath away that a car that I had considered to be nothing more than a cheap small family run-around could be so much fun when it’s given the beans and taken to the red-line.

Inside this middle of the range model there was a very modern looking CD player with AUX and USB connectivity, a tastefully subtle steering wheel and the very sporty looking ‘Atom’ two-tone seat trim which gave the inside a really classy overall look. Chrome surrounds on the inside made the car feel far more expensive than it was. On the corners were a set of very tasty 15” ‘Sahara’ alloy wheels and at the back a subtle but fitting lip spoiler. In the back there’s plenty of space but I found my head slightly ajar with my ear rubbing the roof, but no more than I’m used to when trying to fit all 6 foot 5 inches of me into the back of a hatchback. An impressive class-leading boot also appealed to the sensible side of me.

What I love most about this little Romanian motor though is the way it feels to drive. No it isn’t as fast as a Fiesta ST or perhaps a Fabia VRS but whipping from corner to corner in this revvy little petrol was great fun and you’ll find yourself pushing the tiny tyres to their limits. It would be great to see Dacia roll out a sportier version of this model, but there’s no denying that this car is great fun and even though our test model was somewhat higher than the advertised ‘under £6000’ Access, it still came in at £8,290 which is remarkable for a car that’s this much fun and comes with a respectable level of equipment. This only really leaves us with one question; have Dacia given the likes of the giants such as Volkswagen and Ford something to be worried about? No. If you want to buy a hatchback with a somewhat ‘cool’ badge you’ll still buy a Polo or Fiesta, but I think we’ll be seeing a lot of these Sanderos on the road soon. People who just want a car to go from A to B now have an option that isn’t just reasonably priced, but it actually good fun too.

Review: 2013 Renault Clio Dynamique MediaNav TCe 90

The Renault Clio is the bread and butter of the French companies model range and with the industry going through tough times in Europe, this cars sales are more important than ever. This is the all-new Renault Clio 4, a chic new interpretation of a car that has sold in vast numbers in previous generations. The 2013 incarnation sports a bold new design that shouts from the rooftops “Va Va Voom is back!” It is bold and aims to reinvent the brand.  The car it replaces was conservative in design, but Renault are keen to promote a premium product in the 4th generation Clio and so blending into the class was not on the agenda.

Visually it looks every bit as modern as it claims to be, bringing a little bit of French  design to the roads. There is no longer a three door body style for the Clio but by hiding the rear door handles Renault have managed to give the hatchback an almost coupe appearance. It sits lower to the road and is wider than its predecessor making for an object that does turn heads when out and about. The gloss black skirting is also a nice unique design feature for a car in this class. Renault have put a big emphasis on making this new Clio “your own” with a wide range of customisation options including external sticker designs, new interior coloured trim and a range of alloy wheels to choose from at not extra cost.

2013 Renault Clio Dynamique MediaNav TCe 90 inside

The interior has taken a real step forwards in terms of architecture and quality. Our 0.9 litre Dynamique MediaNav TCe 90 test car was trimmed with some very good looking piano black plastics and was dominated by the cars new touch screen media system. The system housed inside the console allows for easy access to the radio, satellite navigation and BlueTooth settings. The blue trimmed cabin is very well engineered in terms of ergonomics with a comfortable seating positions and a steering wheel that fits very nicely to the hand. Air conditioning controls were in easy to reach positions and are highlighted with neat LED lighting as they are adjusted. Also finding a home within the cars interior are the new Bass Reflex speakers that allow for high levels of clarity even at antisocial levels of volume. It is clear that Renault have packed the Clio 4 with tech and as a result the interior of the car is a very pleasant place to be.

On the road this particular Clio does struggle in some areas. Its turbocharged petrol engine may produce 90BHP but it has to be worked very hard to get the most out of it. All of the power is right at the top of the rev range and though its turbo produces very little lag, it does become little tiresome having to work the gearbox so comprehensively to go anywhere quick. The Clio’s merits lay within its chassis and suspension. The ride is very smooth even on the UK’s battered tarmac surface and the responsiveness when you want to change the cars direction is most welcome. There is a notable amount of body roll when cornering at speed and the steering doesn’t offer too much in the way of driver feedback, that said the cars breaks are very good.

This TCe 90 is good for 62MPG and emits just 104g/km of CO2. I personally think this specific Clio’s problem is the three cylinder engine under the bonnet. It ticks all of the boxes as far as looking after the environment is concerned but when you just want this car to be a revvy little petrol hatchback you can take onto B-roads and just throw into corners the unit provides very little enthusiasm. I genuinely like the brand new car very much with its high quality finishes and curvaceous looks, but I was rather hoping that this pint-sized petrol engine would behave more like an excited Jack Russell.

As an everyday car the 2013 Renault Clio has what it takes to compete with the top of its class, and with the best Euro NCAP results, family buyers should take note. However, the diesel engine is the pick of the bunch.

Petrol VS Diesel, The Death Match

Oh, now that is an interesting topic… It is a bit like when you ask someone if they have a PC or a Mac, both camps will fight to the death for their cause. The basis for this article was born out of a debate on Twitter that lasted until 1:25AM. The root of the argument was formed from the notion of a “sporty diesel” and if such a thing existed, also if it did could it ever match the traditional petrol equivalent?

First of all “sporty diesels.” I will concede that this juxtaposition can exist but only in rare cases and only since very recently. You see diesel engines were designed for tractors. The high levels of torque are perfect for pulling ploughs, lugging trailers or even dragging a cow along by its tail if you really must. Putting a diesel engine in a car with sporting credentials, in most cases, is much like eating a cheesecake via your ear. It will go in, but it doesn’t really have the desired effect. The low end grunt is great but they are heavier, lack the theatricalities of revving the nuts off a petrol and as a result are slower. I wouldn’t ever call something like a Golf TDI “sporty.” Quick, efficient, dependable, all these things yes, but sporty it is not. And lets face it, the one you really want is the GTI.

Don’t get me wrong, I can appreciate diesels for all they are good at and some of the recent ones I have driven really are VERY good. But lets say you are in identical sports cars, like a BMW Z4. Now this car is about performance and the way it makes you feel behind the wheel. Pretending that each car was fitted with identical engines but one powered by diesel and one by petrol, what car will win in a 0-62MPH sprint? The petrol. What car produces the best non-artificial noise? The Petrol. What car is the most fulfilling to drive? Again it will be the petrol because it encourages all of those great sensations a performance car requires to score well. These are the reasons you will not see Lamborghini loading one of their raging bulls with a diesel motor, because the oil burners are not the optimum piece of equipment for performance. “But what about endurance racers” I hear you cry? Do you think teams such as Audi would still use diesel if they didn’t have to worry about how much fuel they were using? There is a very good reason why you will never see a diesel powered Formula One car…

I’m not saying diesels cant be fun, but in order to get them to that stage they often need to be fettled with by adding turbos and the like. Diesel or petrol 3 Series? If you’re a fax machine salesman who just uses his car to trawl the motorway there is no contest. But if you seek the highest level of enjoyment then it is the petrol that wins hands down.

Ford’s New £14,000 Focus

If you don’t have vast rivers of money flowing around your bank odds are that when it comes to buying a new car prices tend to be a little intimidating. As the cost of living has increased so has the cost of a new car and for many what was an affordable family ferry is now just out of reach. Ford are addressing this issue with a new base model of the Focus.

The new Focus is a very accomplished car but the cheapest model on sale is still a little on the pricey side. Today the blue oval announced a new entry level car named the Studio. Priced at £13,995 it makes for a better financial proposition than the current base and even the cars competitors. The Focus Studio is only available with one engine being a 1.6 litre petrol with 84BHP. But don’t go thinking that this new model is “basic.” It still comes with alloy wheels, body-coloured rear spoiler, CD player, USB connectivity, air-con, electric mirrors/windows, and ESP.

The Ford Focus Studio goes on sale September this year.

Tyler’s Rant On “The Iron Fist” That Is Economic Driving

I love driving. Well, as you can imagine this would have been a poor career choice if I didn’t. Getting behind the wheel of any car, yes even some poorly conceived Korean contraption with three wheels, is a pleasure in that it is better than walking. To have a roof over your head and a seat to sit on is much better than many modes of transportation. Riding an elephant may be exotic but when it comes to parking at your local supermarket, life does tend to get a bit tricky. So why is the car a subject of what is often a rant in this space? Like many people these days I found myself this past month a little short of cash meaning that the fuel in my car has had to literally go that extra mile. I am here to proclaim how driving my car became hell!

There are many old wives tales and children’s stories that tell you how best to make your petrol last longer. Lets just say that my driving style doesn’t normally adhere to any of that advise and thus the stage is set for my current predicament. I wouldn’t say that I have a led foot but my natural rhythm of driving lends itself to being exuberant. I often wont change gear until I have gained every atom of performance that cog has to offer for example. As you can imagine preserving my liquid gold was quite a challenge.

Let me state from the off that this whole ordeal was not enjoyable at any point. At first it presented the elusion of enjoyment through setting and achieving targets, but soon you hit a barrier that turns driving from a pleasure to a pain. Doing 30MPH in 5th is the least manly activity one can part take in. A once lively machine effectually becomes neutered and the most frustrating thing is that all you have to do to set it free again is drop a few cogs and give it a boot full. You cant however as the polar ice cubes will melt and so will the last few pennies in your wallet. Besides the lack of favor behind the wheel there is also the inevitable increase of anger you will feel towards other road users. When someone slows a little too much normally you let it go and the world continues to rotate. In ultra-fuel-save-mode a once small inconvenience is costing you economy and the end result are words I am not allowed to reproduce here.

Driving once to represented freedom for me but during this period it became like living under the rule of a third-world dictator. You must not accelerate too briskly, you must not decelerate too suddenly, you must not change direction with any real conviction. What you will do is boil to death because the air-con drains the fuel and don’t even dream about opening the windows as your MPG will plummet.

Those who say “but isn’t it rewarding when you think about all the natural resources you have saved” can keep their environmentally clear consciences to themselves. I would rather have let my fuel injection system loose with what petrol I had and conked out in the middle of nowhere with some sense of fulfillment. Driving economically is genuinely more painful than gouging my own eyes out with a spoon.

Soon this torment will end and the car shall receive a well deserved drink. Speaking of a drink I need one a bit stronger than tea to get over the stresses of being kind to the environment.

Computer Error Causes Petrol To Be Sold At $1.10 In US

In a world where everything costs so much we are more and more actively going out of our way to find a bargain. Fuel prices in particular have skyrocketed making it very difficult for those using a car to fund their mode of transport. However thanks to a computer glitch an American station was selling “gas” at dirt cheap prices.

Computer errors are normally something greeted with a hand full of select words but not today. A system error at a petrol station in Wilmington USA caused prices to drop to $1.10 per gallon or 68p. Naturally this sparked hundreds of people into action buying as much fuel as they could carry. An estimated 8,000 gallons went out the door in a matter of hours making for some very pleased motorists. The petrol station estimates that it has lost over $21,000.

Guess we can thank the Windows “blue screen of death” once in a while.

EU To Ban Petrol And Diesel Cars By 2050

The vast amount of us enjoy our freedom to drive where we like when we like. Ok so these days it is a costly luxury what with vast amounts of tax, high fuel prices and stupid charges to drive on the roads we already pay to maintain. But hey, at least we are still motoring… Or so we thought. The EU has submitted a proposal to ban all petrol and diesel cars from city centers effectively bullying the population into alternative modes of transport. Now I can understand that we must reduce carbon emissions and that congestion is an issue, but what if I don’t want an electric car? Where is my freedom of choice?

I hate to get all “Daily Mail” about this but it is something that has really annoyed me. Is the message that governments are sending out “conform or else?” The plan is to reduce carbon emissions in Europe dramatically and I am all for that as marvels of engineering make engines more and more efficient. I am also not against the electric car and found in particular the Nissan Leaf an utter joy. But what does bother me is that we no longer get a choice! If I own a petrol car, regardless of sales of electric in 2050, I will not be allowed to enter London for without a) Buying a new car, b)Taking public transport, which is fine but if you have a lot of luggage or want to use the car you have had to pay the government so much money to simply drive in the first place? I accept that changes need to be made but banning us from roads we pay for is not the way to do it.

The European Union say “it is not an attack on public mobility.” Too bloody right! It’s an attack on peoples right to make up their own minds.

2012 Audi A6 Revealed

Audi’s model range now stretches far and wide across many platforms. From super-mini’s to 4X4’s, family saloons to even supercars, the German manufacturer has touched just about every market going. Amongst its multitude of models there has always been a rather interesting crossbreed, a luxury saloon with high performance power. The Audi A6 is one of the worlds ultimate sleepers and today Audi has announced the 2012  installment.

The great thing about the A6 is that it has all the usual Audi refinement, comfort and practicality but beneath its understated sculpture is the beating heart of a machine that is in search of performance. This A6 has the options of two petrol engines and three diesel’s. The 2.0 litre TDI will do a rather commendable 48MPG, but of course it is the 3.0 litre TFSI we are all interested in… It may only do 27MPG in comparison to the diesel but it does have 300BHP and an electronically limited top speed of 155MPH. Ok still want a diesel but want the performance, the Germans know exactly what you want. How does a 3.0 litre diesel with 368lb-ft of torque and a 0-62MPH of just 6.1 seconds sound? Oh yes, and it will even do 40MPG.

But what we are all waiting for is the 2012 RS6 with its Lamborghini derived V10. Patients is a virtue.

New Aston Martin Le Mans Racer Revealed

Aston Martin have enjoyed huge success with their DB9 based racers over the years and when they then told the world they would be competing for the big prize we were elated. Entering a car into the LMP1 class put the company in direct competition with seasoned champions Audi and Peugeot, the result was that they finished behind those two yet were competitive with the rest of the field. Not bad for a team returning to the forefront of the sport after a long leave of absence, and one prize they can be assured of at every race is “most attractive car” as the Gulf racing colours have never looked better. Despite their commendable efforts Aston want better results next year and are demanding the top spot! To do this they are bringing an all new car for 2011…

This car has been designed from the ground up and sports the new Gulf Oil livery. Aston intends to beat the diesels of Audi and Peugeot in the next Le Mans with good old petrol power, showing that the British company are not just passionate about winning but also tradition. The previous car had a Lola base but this is an all Aston Martin effort in a bid to “bring the title back to Britain.” This is Aston’s first fully purpose built race engine and chassis combination in over 50 years and we wish them luck in both development and the race.