When the Renault Clio 3 was released, there was an almost audible thud that resonated across the country as every motoring journalist across the country dropped their A5 notepad to the table and thought “here we go again, another bland Clio”. The Clio 3 wasn’t a very adventurous, so you can imagine the tense looks on the faces of the motoring press as the new model was unveiled.
Sufficed to say the new Clio 4 is an excellent piece of engineering. They’ve put it on a diet and made it 45mm lower, 100kg lighter and widened it out a bit. A tuned chassis means the cabin is now almost silent apart from the soft clunk of the excellent new gearbox which allows for faster and smoother gear changes than the previous instalment. The model I drove was the 1.5 dCi which boots out 90 horsepower and 220nm torque. All this amounts to a top speed of 112 and it’ll politely dash to 62 in 11.7 seconds.
Economy in this model is excellent and if you’re driving downhill in 5th gear at 2000 revs with a tailwind, you’ll be reaching the dizzying heights of 88mpg but around town you can expect a more down to earth 70mpg. As with most small diesel hatchbacks these days the emissions are 90g/km which plonks it firmly in the ‘A’ tax band. This new Clio is also very spacious and I could fit all 6 foot 5 inches of me into the back with enough headroom and even with the seat all the way back in the front you could fit a child or a small adult behind me. Way in the back the large boot is big enough for a large family shop with room to spare.
Renault is never the first company I come to when talking about interior quality, but this new model left me lost for words. I drove the Dynamique spec and the inside was excellent, awash with piano black and high quality plastics with a very comfortable leather gear knob and matching half-leather steering wheel. Clear digital dials and the responsive R-Link Touchscreen Media/Navigation system makes the cockpit a very pleasant place to be. Renault have also overhauled the sound system making use of the latest Arkamys 3D Sounds technology coupled with a new 30L subwoofer and high quality tweeters. This equates to no distortion even at the highest of volumes.
There is no denying that Renault have done wonders with this new Clio by comparison to the previous model, thanks of new designer Laurens Van Der Acker who’s brief is simply to “make beautiful cars”. The exterior of this car really is head-turningly pleasant and with added features like extra-tinted rear windows this is a great family hatchback on a budget. What Renault have done here most of all though is given Ford something to worry about, and that’s not too easy to do in the hatchback market. With prices starting at £10,995 for the most spartan model, the Expression and up to £14,995 for the tres belle Dynamique S, this little car is competitively priced as well. Renault will also be bringing two sport models with the GT-Line tCe120 and Clio-Sport 200. These new sport models will definitely be biting at the ankles of the likes of the Ford Fiesta ST and Vauxhall Corsa VXR. The big question is, have Renault finally made a Clio to rival its competitors? And the answer is a yes.
Let’s just get one thing straight for a start. Electric cars are here to stay. Fact. The dwindling few who still refuse to accept the arrival of the green revolution on our roads have either been living in a different galaxy for the past three years or have some serious denial issues. If you fit in to either of these categories, you should probably seek help (or preferably the next bus back to planet earth). To prove just how far along the line we have come since the early days, the car that many sight as the first genuinely credible mainstream EV, capable of meeting the demands of day-to-day use, has been revamped and recharged by Nissan.
Two years after its initial launch, the Nissan Leaf is about to enter the second generation. The 2011 model took the emerging eco-market market by storm, quickly becoming the world’s best-selling pure electric car. It was also the first mainstream electric car that did not induce regular fits of vomiting when spotted between the hours of 7am and 8pm.
At first sight, the all-new 2013 Leaf doesn’t exactly appear all that new. It retains essentially all of its predecessor’s exterior styling, including the trademark bulging headlamps. However, Nissan have carried out a fair amount of spring cleaning in key areas. First and foremost, the already respectable 109 mile range of the old Leaf has been enhanced, with the new version now squeezing up to 124 miles from a single charge of its 48-module lithium-ion batteries. Aside from ‘range anxiety’, the other well-known scourge of the EV enthusiast, charging time, has been cut drastically in the 2013 Leaf. What used to be a thumb-twiddling eight hour wait for a full recharge has now been chopped to just four hours thanks to the welcome addition of a new 6.6kW on board unit capable of harnessing the power of the latest generation 32amp chargers. As before, you can ask Nissan to install one of these handy contraptions in the comfort of your own home, whilst many public charging points of this kind are already popping up in towns and cities.
One criticism of the original Leaf was its relatively snug luggage compartment, but by moving the charger to the front of the car, Nissan have conjured up an extra 40 litres of boot space, by our calculations enough for at least a weeks-worth of free range celery. This adjustment also allows for a roomier, more practical cabin with improved legroom in the rear. Elsewhere, buyers can now choose from three trim levels, the highest of which comes with leather seats and 17-inch alloys as standard, along with other goodies such as Nissan’s Around View Monitor system.
On the road too, the new Leaf promises a more friendly driving experience, thanks to re-engineered chassis, steering and brakes especially with Europe in mind.
The second generation Leaf will start production this spring and should hit showrooms before the end of the year. It is, however, by no means the only EV plan in the pipeline for Nissan, as rumours abound of a suited-and-booted electric model from their luxury division Infiniti within the next couple of years. Let’s hope by that time the remaining non-believers among us will have at least acknowledged that the EV is no longer the black sheep of the family but in fact the great white hope for the future of motoring.
In 1989 a revolution was born. Something that would become so successful that it would kill off the once globally craved British sports car. The Mazda MX-5 was born out of an experiment, it takes its name from “Mazda eXperimental number 5, that led the Japanese manufacturer to a formula that today has sold over 900,000 cars. The MX-5 was well priced, fantastic amounts of fun to drive and crucially provided bullet proof reliability. It was classless, cheeky, always ready to play and the world fell in love with this little convertible. The car was in such high demand when it was launched that it is reported that dealerships sold units for nearly double their sticker price. 24 years later and this working class hero is still on sale.
Over the generations the MX-5 has evolved with the times but never lost its raw focus on driving pleasure. For 2013 the car gets a slight nip and tuck introducing a more aggressive grill. I personally own a MK1 Mazda MX-5 from 1992 and I adore the purity of the way it drives, the question is, has the new car lost any of the original cars innocents?
This specific test car is the 1.8 litre SE that provides an entry level of just £18,495, though our car does have optional pearlescent paint bringing its total to £18,990. So, in the grand scheme of sports cars it is still very well priced. Its proportions are much the same as the old car with short overhangs and a near identical wheelbase. It is a handsome car to look at and the flared wheel arches overtly state that this is a machine built for having a good time. The smart new alloy wheels are also pleasing to the eye portraying an aesthetic that looks purposeful. Inside you could describe the cockpit as being on the basic side. The console doesn’t provide snazzy dials or even a colour screen, but there is reasoning behind the spartan nature. This car is all about the driving sensation. Not gadgets and toys that distract, take away from and add weight to it. It is a beautiful simplicity and many features such as the aluminium trimmed speedometer and air vents hark back to what began in 1989. The steering wheel may not contain anything over than a volume switch for the radio but as a result it offers comfort and the ability to be grabbed at any angle. It’s cockpit is a snug fit and seats two, much like a glove. The roof is also a straight forward affair as one central latch unclips and the roof can just be thrown over your head. This car just like its grandfather isn’t about things that are tangible, but the stirring of emotions whilst you drive it.
What is it like to drive? I would describe it as, and you can quote me on this, “the best thing since sliced bread!” It is a sensational machine bursting with driver feedback and instant responses to every little input you make. The steering is quick and extremely communicative encouraging the driver to get involved with the playful nature of this car. The suspension though firm around town, is sublime on little country roads working in harmony with every other component killing body roll and maximising the grip that the tyres can give the car. It leaps like a deer from bend to bend teaching any driver more about the act of driving than almost any other machine. Gear changes from the snappy 5 speed manual are as delicious as they have been for decades. Turning traction control off unleashes a whole truck load of childish fun as the supreme balance of the MX-5 means that drifting is most defiantly on the menu. It will hold a slide all day long and though it only has 125BHP, with the sheer lack of weight your only limitation is just how much rubber you want to turn into smoke. With the roof down and the wind deflector up, the 2013 car is refined and the perfect companion for a summers day. The buttons are easy to read and the surfaces don’t glare at you whilst the sun it out. Even in the UK on a fresh morning in February you can have the roof down as the heaters are brilliantly capable of keeping you warm.
This 2013 Mazda MX-5 is one of the best choices you can make when buying a new car. If you are in the market for a sports car it would be foolish to discount this machine because it undercuts competitors in a considerable fashion. Badge snobs can brag about their cars all they like, but the truth is the the Mazda MX-5 is, and always has been, one of the most genuinely soul enriching experiences the automotive world has to offer.
Dacia are a new brand to the UK that you may have heard of. In fact if you haven’t heard of them you soon will as they are causing quite a stir on the new car scene. Explained simply, this is Renault’s sub-brand that has thrived in Europe and from this year will make landfall in our homeland. The aim of the brand is to produce a product that undercuts the competition in a dramatic fashion whilst offering everything a rival does. A very tall order for any company, let alone a new one… However, Dacia has the might of Renault behind it and with that comes a host of components that have gone through rigorous R&D. They can be sold so cheaply as these proven parts filter down into this sub-brand. The Duster is the cheapest SUV on sale by some margin and as a result our test car is the cheapest diesel 4X4 on the market.
This mid-spec Ambiance model is equipped with everything you would expect from a brand new car. 16 inch wheels, a premium stereo with Bluetooth and USB connectivity, chrome detailing and remote central locking. All pretty normal equipment by today’s standards, but factor in that it is powered by a 1.5 litre diesel engine with 110BHP, and all wheel drive, for £14,315 you wont find anything like it.
Are you expecting the cabin to be cheap and nasty? Well, you might be surprised to find its quality to far surpass what you thought was possible for such a car. Obviously it isn’t a Rolls-Royce and lacks some soft-touch surfaces, but the plastic feel robust and durable. The console is well laid out with a dial to switch between 2WD and 4WD prominently placed. The seating deserves a mention as it is not only supportive in the right places but also very comfortable. The boot with the parcel shelf removed is vast and more than big enough for a dog or a big supermarket shop.
On the move the Dacia Duster proves itself to be a highly competent machine with plenty of torque on tap from its diesel engine. The steering is well weighted offering good feedback as well as adequate power assist as to not turn steering inputs into a wrestling match between man and machine. Road noise is not unbearable but is noticeable at speed. The engine itself is refined and happy to hum along at what ever pace you desire all day long. This car may only have a top speed of 104MPH, but remembering that it has the aerodynamic properties of a brick, it can be forgiven. In 2WD mode the economical benefit is commendable as on its best form the car will achieve 53MPG combined. The suspension isn’t just there to give this car a desirable high driving position, oh no, it has been properly engineered to take on the frankly menacing potholes of our roads and have a good go at the rough stuff.
Engaging 4WD drive mode unlocks the potential of the Duster. This car is not all mouth and no trousers, it has genuine off-road capabilities. It will scale steep banks with little fuss, plug its way through muddy trails and even wade through some fords. The Dacia Duster is impressive not only for its price, but in some elements it puts leaders of its class to shame. Of course it is no Land Rover Defender, but its abilities can not be denied. In terms of engineering, its high ground clearance teamed with 240Nm of torque available from 1,750RPM makes for a formidable combination.
I think Dacia and their expanding range of cars could well be a real game changer in the new and used car market. They offer well manufactured products for the cost of the segment below and as a result they maintain a high residual value. The last car company to make a success of their “peoples cars” was Volkswagen and look where they are today.
The new McLaren P1 is to become the flagship of the Formula One turned supercar manufacture at its official reveal in Geneva. Slowly the media has been drip-fed tantalising details about the car that replaces the fabled F1. Today the numbers we have all been waiting for have been announced and they are nothing short of astonishing.
From the top. The McLaren P1 is to be powered by a 3.8 litre twin-turbo V8 engine that is mid-mounted. The total power output for the car including an electrical power boost is 903BHP. Now things get interesting… 0-62MPH is completed in under 3 seconds and the P1 will go onto a top speed of 218MPH. 0-124MPH is vanquished in under 7 seconds and 0-186MPH in a mind boggling 17 seconds! Only 375 P1’s will be produces at a cost of £866,000.
Though sales have been slow, the electric car continues to temp consumers with the promise of low cost motoring. With very few moving parts, virtually no servicing and a full charge costing pennies in these times of horrifically high fuel prices they do make sense. VW has faith in the electric motor as it reveals the e-Golf.
The all-electric VW Golf claims to have a range of 109 miles and can be charged from a standard socket in five hours. Offering all of the usual Golf practicalities and refinement, its 114BHP motor silently hums away. Top speed is only 84MPH and that is when it is in normal mode. Range mode reduces the power of the car, turns off the air-conditioning and limits the top speed to 59MPH in a bid to save electricity.
VW’s biggest seller, the Golf, is now in its 7th generation and is as complete a package as ever. Practical, reliable, durable, efficient are all words you could use to describe the Golf and with a wide range of model variants there is something for everyone. For those craving something with a bit extra performance but require great fuel economy, Volkswagen have the perfect MK7 for you.
Powered by VW’s all-new EA228 diesel engine, the Golf GTD offers much of the sporty aesthetic of the up and coming GTI but in a package that will achieve 67.3MPG. The 2.0 litre car produces 181BHP and 280lb-ft of torque. This reaches the front wheels via a 6 speed manual or a six speed dual clutch box. 0-62MPH is cover in 7.5 seconds and the GTD’s top speed is 143MPH.
So you are the sort of chap who has a few bob. You require a car that looks every bit as tailored as the suit you are wearing but it will be Jeeves doing all of the driving whilst you sink into some of finest cowhide money can buy. Bentley has a car that might just tick all of the boxes for you in its all-new Flying Spur.
Still powered by an all consuming W12 engine, the 2.5 litre until will now produce 616BHP. Capable of 0-62MPH in just 4.3 seconds and a top speed of 200MPH, this stately home on wheels can hardly be called sluggish. Equipped with luxuries such as on-board Wi-Fi, a unique form of leather upholstery and ample amounts of walnut wood this is pure luxury. Despite all of this the car weighs 50KG less than its predecessor and is able to achieve 19.2MPG.
The McLaren P1 will be one of the cars that will define this decade of automotive achievement. The successor to the legendary F1 supercar has some big shoes to fill as well as having the added pressure of going toe to toe with Ferrari’s next-generation flagship. There were concerns that maybe the P1 had been over hyped and that the only realistic outcome would be disappointment. I am glad to say that after opening an E-Mail from McLaren this morning disappointment is one of the very few things this car can’t do.
McLaren have revealed the beating heart of the P1 to be a 3.8 litre twin-turbo V8 engine. This mid-mounted unit produces 727BHP but is also paired to a 176BHP electric motor. This total output for the McLaren P1 is a mighty impressive 903BHP. The KERS inspired IPAS button boosts the cars power instantly increasing performance. It is capable of running on electric power alone for up to 6 miles. McLaren have also equipped the car with Formula One derived DRS that can reduce drag at high speeds by 26%. All of this incredible performance comes from a car that emits less than 200g/km of CO2.
Official benchmark figures will be revealed at the Geneva motor show.
There is nothing greater than seeing a performance car being pushed to its limits, after all that’s what it was built for. However, someone with a few quid in their pocket decided to push the envelope of their Ferrari Enzo in the direction of which it wasn’t designed. Making full use of rutted farm roads and gravel trails, the Italian stallion is assaulted by its environment. Too much time and money on the owners hands? Maybe… But its pretty entertaining though.
