Home Tags Posts tagged with "1.6 litre"
Qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix gave the world its first taste of the new 2014 Formula cars being driven in anger. After much speculation and analysis of the teams throughout the testing season, the time sheets revealed all… Hamilton Takes First Pole of 2014
Lewis Hamilton, as predicted, took pole position on a wet track showing the true dominance of his Mercedes. Team mate Nico Rosberg will start tomorrows race in third after a strong qualifying performance. SO who is sandwiched between the two silver cars? Daniel Ricciardo and his Red Bull will start P2 despite the teams horrific ordeals during testing. The new boy to Red Bull in his RB10 was cheered by his home crowd, Vettel was booed (maybe Webber related) and he only managed 13th fastest. The world champion stated that his car was difficult to drive. Rookie Kevin Magnussen managed a fantastic fourth on his debut with McLaren, however, traffic and changing conditions led to Jenson Button only managing 11th. Alonso will begin the race P5 but his team mate, Kimi, will only start P12 due to spinning and crashing his Ferrari in qualifying 2. Williams duo of Massa and Bottas round off the top 10. Lotus will start at the back of the grid after a dismal beginning to the year.
1. Lewis Hamilton
2. Daniel Ricciardo
3. Nico Rosberg
4. Kevin Magnussen
5. Fernando Alonso
6. Jean-Eric Vergne
7. Nico Hulkenberg
8. Daniil Kvyat
9. Felipe Massa
10. Valtteri Bottas
11. Jenson Button
12. Kimi Raikkonen
13. Sebastian Vettel
14. Adrian Sutil
15. Kamui Kobayashi
16. Sergio Perez
17. Max Chilton
18. Jules Bianchi
19. Esteban Gutierrez
20. Marcus Ericsson
21. Romain Grosjean
22. Pastor Maldonado
When you need to dig a hole you use a shovel. If you want some money you go to a bank. And if you want a car to transport large objects and potentially a dog, then you get a Volvo. Like a loyal family labrador, a Volvo estate has always been seen as a faithful companion on Britain’s roads. The only downside to these dependable load luggers is that the neighbours wouldn’t glance twice at it. Let us be honest, a big estate car isn’t exactly the sexiest machine you could be driving. That said, the Volvo V60 does a good job of turning heads.
Packaged as a Volvo that still ticks the practicality box, the V60 is a much more sculpted and design oriented car than estates of the past. Bonnet creases add some character, broad shoulders gives a sense of presence, and tasteful amounts of chrome trim highlight to onlookers that this is very much a premium product. Our test car is the Business Edition, a model aimed at those looking for a company car at a reasonable price, but still with the optional extras that make things a bit more executive. In power Blue the car looked very smart even with the standard alloy wheels.
The interior is typical Volvo with each component being engineered to very high standards. Although the centre consoles vast array of buttons is beginning to look a bit dated now, a new interior layout for the company will come with the 2014 XC90, the controls are logically located. Something that always strikes me with the latest incarnation of Volvo cars is just how meticulously detailed the designers have been with everything occupants interact with. Things such as the reassuring feel of resistance when buttons are pushed or the shape of its sublimely supportive seats. It certainly feels like someone cared an awful lot about how people should feel inside the cabin. The instrument panel is predominantly analogue in this Business Edition, but it does feature an Eco gauge showing how efficient your driving is. Space in the second row is ample both in the head and leg departments. Whilst the boot has a flat loading area and is big enough for all of your usual Volvo estate owner needs, it is slightly smaller than rivals thanks to the V60’s tapered roofline. The rear seats fold flat or can be individually lowered making for a versatile space. This Business Edition also receives satellite navigation and Bluetooth.
Our V60 had the keyless option fitted and so with a push of the starter button its 1.6 litre turbocharged diesel came to life. At idle the engine is very smooth with hardly any vibration penetrating into the cabin. In motion the diesel that produces 115HP and emits just 108g/km of CO2 is whisper quiet. Only under hard acceleration does a hum begin to build. This Volvo V60 does have a touch of turbolag that is just noticeable at low rpm, but the turbo soon spools up and provides excellent torque to pull off overtaking manoeuvres. Its 6 speed manual gearbox is smooth and each gear slots into place with minimal fuss. On motorways the Volvo V60 hold its own and is capable of comfortably cruising for long periods of time. Take the car into a more urban environment and you will find it to be a very easy machine to drive with good visibility all around. The steering is precise allowing for accurate placement of the car on the road promoting a feeling of agility. However, the steering feel itself whilst well weighted offers little feedback. I also have a small gripe with the suspension as for a big car where people will spend a lot of time, the ride is firmer than expected. However the upside of a stiffer setup is reduced body roll through corners, in this respect the V60 always feels composed. The range of this car on one take of fuel, provided you drive sensibly is astonishing. I reckon it will easily do over 700 miles and its claimed 63MPG isn’t too far off believable in the real world.
At £24,220 our test car has some tough rivals in the form of the BMW 3 Series Touring and Audi A4 Avant, yet the Volvo sets itself apart from the Germans with unique styling and trademark Volvo safety. It might not be the most engaging car in its class but if it is practicality, a touch of style and fantastic ergonomics you are looking for, then the Volvo V60 D2 Business Edition is a fine choice.
“They don’t make them like they used to.” That is very true of a lot of things these days. Without sounding too much like a bitter old man; children’s toys are now made of plastic and not metal, washing machines tend to break ever couple of years not once a decade, and Formula One liveries are now very bland. Before cars were sponsored by banks and anti-virus software they gleamed with bright colour that have become iconic. Somehow I don’t think McLaren’s pure silver car will be one for the history books… However, Williams are bring back a blast from the past. Williams F1 reveal Martini livery.
A livery that looks so good that my own car wears a derivative of it! Williams have shown their 2014 Formula One car sporting a Martini livery. The new sponsorship deal between the two companies was leaked a few weeks ago, but actually seeing those famous stripes on the car reaffirms what i first though. This clearly is the best looking car on the grid for 2014!
These colours were last seen on the Brabham Formula One cars of the 1970’s. It is the perfect way to start the new turbo era of F1.
This week has seen the second batch of Formula One testing before the first race in Australia next month. Dramatic rule changes have introduced new 1.6 litre turbocharged engines as well as more powerful energy recovery systems. Whilst most teams who had some issue testing a few weeks ago managed to get those all important laps under their belt, world champions Red Bull are again struggling. This testing period is more important than ever as teams try to understand their new cars. Whilst Red Bull managed more laps than a few weeks ago, their car encountered problems every day this week which resulted in them packing up and going home early. The Red Bull F1 team are in real trouble.
This is extremely troubling for the team who have produce four championship winning cars in a row. The issues seem to stem from the tight aerodynamic packaging of the RB10 car that is leading to overheating problems. Also the new Renault engine is is suffering from a lack of power and is particularly susceptible to harsh vibrations. Both Red Bull and Renault are playing down just how bad the situation is but with the first race is just weeks away, and the team not even being able to complete race distance, they are at a huge disadvantage.
The 2014 season promised drama and that is exactly what we are getting.
The small family car, or C-segment, has really upped its game over the past few years. With fierce competition amongst brands in Europe competing for sales, the quality of their products have become greater than ever before in this continual game of oneupmanship. Peugeot are undergoing something of a revolution after disappointing past sales. Their new products aim to compete with the best cars in their class with a real emphasis on a perceived premium nature. Entering the C-segment fight is the new Peugeot 308, a car that must do battle with the likes of Volkswagen’s Golf and Ford’s Focus.
Peugeot designers are on something of a roll with the 208 and 508 both being fine looking machines. The 308 continues that trend promoting an upmarket appearance within a well proportion shape. Definitive character lines and these unique alloy wheels on this Allure model make it stand out from the crowd. Bold LED light design in tandem with tasteful amounts of chrome trim gives this hatchback a rather smart and mature demeanour.
This specific Peugeot 308 is the 1.6 litre THP 125 petrol engine with, you guessed it, 125BHP. In Allure trim this car starts from £18,595 but our test car has been treated to some toys from the options list such as; metallic paint, panoramic glass roof, keyless entry, cruise control, as well as leather heated and massaging seats. The total cost comes to a rather princely £21,855.
Thankfully from the moment you get into the 308 it immediately feels like a car that costs over £20,000. As a long term purchase the all-singing all-dancing body hugging leather seats are well worth their money. They are beautifully upholstered and supportive in all of the right places offering a comfortable place to sit for long periods of time. The dashboard architecture is noticeably clutter free with only a few buttons for things such as the heated windscreen on offer. All of the cars other features are accessed via its touchscreen display that dominates the interior landscape. The responsive infotainment unit houses everything from air conditioning settings, DAB radio, access to your phone and even systems such as the parking sensors. This Peugeot 308 Allure 1.6 THP 125 panoramic roof allows plenty of natural light into the cabin giving it an open airy feel. However, in the back whilst head room is good, leg room is more restrictive than competitors. The boot is of a good size and will happily swallow the weekly family shop, but again some competitors do offer more space.
Peugeot, as I’m sure you will have seen from their adverts on T.V., are promoting the idea of their cars being more involving to drive. So how does the 308 fare? With the push of a button the 1.6 litre petrol engine hums into life. From within the cabin the engines noise is hushed and refined. Setting off you immediately notice the small size of the steering wheel. With the instruments positioned above the wheel its decreased size along with a fast steering rack makes the 308 feel nimble. Quick changes of direction in a crowded town and a very good turning circle instantly makes it sound urban companion. Visibility is good all around and with technology such as reversing camera and blind spot detection on board, it makes going about your business safe and easy. On faster roads the 308 maintains its composure and reveals itself to have good levels of grip and brakes with high levels of stopping power. Thought the steering doesn’t offer loads of feedback, its quick responses combined with the planted nature of the car makes it enjoyable on twisty roads. The gear changes from its 6 speed manual box were pleasant and whilst this model of 308 isn’t overly fast, it was enjoyable to take up to the redline extracting maximum power from the engine. On motorways the new Peugeot 308 is easy to settle down in for long journeys. The ride is smooth, wind and road noise is minimal, the car is very happy to cruise all day long. In a combination of real world driving conditions we managed to get 37MPG out of the 308.
The 308 is a very big step in the right direction for Peugeot. This car is of a higher quality, more fun to drive and better focused than its predecessor in every respect. It is clear that the French companies new model range is very serious about taking on the best of the bunch. In my eyes the 308 only really fires a blank when it comes to its price. There are a few hard plastic on show and though Peugeot are aiming upmarket, it does little to undercut the price of competitors. That said, the 308 does feels like a premium product and so maybe warrants its cost.
The Red Bull Racing team have been utterly dominant in the world of Formula One for the past four years with the help of one Sebastian Vettel. Adrian Newey, otherwise known as the “Da Vinci” of Formula One, has been hard at work finding solutions within the new 2014 regulations that will allow the new Red Bull RB10 car to be as ruthlessly superior to its competitors as the laws of physics will allow. At the first day of testing we now have our first look at this potential world champion.
Arguably the most anticipated 2014 car on the grid, the RB10 appears as vacuum-packed as ever with extremely tight bodywork reducing drag. An interesting feature of the new car is its slightly swollen under-nose feature that meets the new 185mm regulation but potentially channels air to useful areas of the car. Powered by the new 1.6 litre turbocharged V6 Renault engine, a key focus of this year will be reliability. To be piloted by World Champion Sebastian Vettel and new boy to the team Daniel Ricciardo, the Red Bull RB10 is an interesting package, however, the really interesting part will be when the lights go out in Australia.
As the first day of testing for the 2014 Formula One season gets underway and those teams who have been hiding their cars away are forced to show their hand. Mercedes AMG finished the 2013 season strongly with their new driver Lewis Hamilton, the question is, how can they translate that momentum into a season where the rules have been turned on their head. The Mercedes W05 is the answer.
Named the Mercedes W05, this new racing car is by far the most visually acceptable Formula One car of 2014. New regulations that stipulated lower nose tips are to used by all teams have produced some rather ugly aerodynamic solutions. This Mercedes has an aggressively steep angle to the nose, but maintains its width to the tip unlike the “anteater” arrangements on many competitors. It would appear a lot of work has been done to minimise the the amount of shell at the rear end of the car. The tightly packaged bodywork houses the new Mercedes-Benz 1.6 litre turbocharged V6 engine and ERS that powers the Mercedes W05.
In sinister silver the Mercedes-Benz 2014 Formula One car, aesthetically at least, is pick of the bunch. However, does the Mercedes-Benz team have what it takes to vanquish the dominant Red Bull Racing?
Sometimes in life there is no getting around a need for a man with a van. Moving house? You need a van. Avoiding the delivery charge on that new fridge you just bought? You need a van. Is your full-time occupation being a decorator? YOU NEED A VAN! The Citroen Berlingo, ever since its inception, has made no apologies for being a van with windows and it is this refreshingly honest character of the car that has made it a success. You see, for those who have a use for a car capable of carrying both the children and awkwardly shaped items, the Citroen Berlingo makes perfect sense. This week I have been testing the latest Citroen Berlingo Multispace.
Visually it isn’t going to win any beauty pageants with its rather slab-sided appearance and boxy rear end. That said, this top specification XTR model does sport some contrasting trim and sits a bit higher for a more rugged appearance. From the outset the Berlingo choses function over style, but to be perfectly honest, this cars core customers are going to have the very same mindset. The Citroen is a tall machine but its proportions make much more sense once you get inside.
The interior of the Citroen Berlingo Multispace is enormous. Its vast quantity of space and versatility is immediately apparent from the moment you enter. The high roof dons overhead storage compartments galore and even includes an aircraft style locker at the rear. Robust individual seats, the rear ones are completely removable, await their torture by growing children. Further storage compartments in the dashboard and doors ensure that you will forever have somewhere to put an ice scraper or a bag of boiled sweets for long journeys. Though initially mocked for “looking like a taxi” on a visit to Portsmouth to see some friends, they were later impressed by the sheer amount of alcohol, for the pending house party, that could be stored in various compartments. I bet Citroen never though that this car could be marketed as a mobile brewery! (Obviously drinking and driving did not occur, nor should it.) The Citroen Berlingo Multispace also has the option of being equipped with 7 seats with the extra row making itself at home in the Grand Canyon of a boot that this car possess. Another useful design feature is the cars van inspired sliding rear doors. They reveal a big opening that allows for easy access and the fact that they slide, as opposed to swing like a normal door, means that worrying about your child slamming the door into the Mercedes you are parked next to is a thing of the past. Rear passengers can also enjoy a completely flat floor and the use of the XTR’s built-in sun blinds. The dashboard is very utilitarian with a rectangular blocky aesthetic that isn’t too appealing to the eye, but again is functional in its layout. Our test car also had satellite navigation and Bluetooth but lacked a DAB radio. Big windows and additional transparent roof panels flood the cabin with plenty of natural light.
Powered by a 1.6 litre diesel engine the Berlingo XTR HDi pulls well with enough power to get you up to speed, however, this car does have the aerodynamic properties of a shed and so expect a notable amount of wind noise at motorway velocity. The Berlingo is very good at soaking up the humps and bumps of British roads, even taking on large speed bumps without much of a fuss. The ride is very good and makes for a comfortable journey over most surfaces. This car has a 5 mode traction system that includes snow and ice, sand, mud, normal and off (that is if we are counting off as a setting.) Body roll is much less than expected for such a tall car and as a result it can deal with mildly exuberant driving. What I didn’t like about the way the Berlingo is set-up was its steering. Whilst its lack of weight makes urban driving effortless and parking no strain at all, when away from the town it lacks feel and comes across as being numb. Yeah sure, it is a people mover and so I’m not expecting the steering characteristics of an MX-5, but I just didn’t like the almost complete lack of connection between car and driver. Armed with large windows visibility is always good and in tandem with its parking sensors, owners should have no trouble parking the car. It is geared well and the torque from the diesel engine is most welcome at roundabouts.
The Citroen Berlingo Multispace does what it is designed to do very well. It provides huge amounts of space for both people and large objects whist returning a reasonable 47MPG in the real world. Our top specification test car came to a rather pricey £20,260 but you will be glad to know that you can have a Berlingo from £16,960. This segment is rapidly expanding and with rivals such as Ford entering the market, Citroen have to clutch hold of their hard earned “class leader” status a bit tighter. For those who require such a car, you can not go too far wrong with the Berlingo.
Now this is a tricky one… The Hyundai Veloster Turbo is a very unusual sort of car, looks aside. You see, the question is, 2+2 coupe or hot hatchback? Whilst this car has a coupe profile it also has a rear door. Note “A” rear door on the passenger side of the car, not the conventional pair. Powered by a 184BHP 1.6 litre turbocharged petrol engine, it has the makings of a of a fast hatchback. An interesting concoction, but will it turn out to be a exciting Margarita or something of a Frankenstein’s monster?
Visually the Hyundai Veloster Turbo demands attention. Its gaping front grill and bulging headlights set the slightly quirky tone that runs throughout the car. However, strong shoulder lines and that sloping roof hint at the performance that sits under the bonnet. The highly sculpted rear end split opinions amongst friends, yet personally I liked its unique appearance and those centred dual exhaust pipes can not have their menacing appearance denied. In red with smart 18 inch alloy wheels the body shape of the Veloster is further highlighted resulting in many turned heads.
Moving into the interior of the Hyundai Veloster Turbo S, its extraverted design continues with swooping lines shaping the dashboard teamed with vertical air vents. The console is headed by a 7 inch touchscreen display that features interfaces for access to your phone using Bluetooth, the radio and other media devices that can be pugged in via USB or AUX. Its turbo branded seats are well bolstered, hugging passengers and doing a good job of keeping them in place during more spirited driving. Instrumentation is easy to read for the driver and I particularly liked the clean look of the clocks only highlighted by a blue glow at their centre. In the back there is a surprising amount of leg room for the two rear occupants, though that angled roofline does cut down on headroom. As for that obscure third passenger door, it does have its uses. Whilst maintaining a coupe profile the added practicality is most welcome when you tell someone to jump in the back. It may well be a narrow opening, but it sure beats getting out and folding the seat forward every time.
Starting the Veloster Turbo reveals a smooth idling engine that is quiet and refined at low revs. Bumbling about town the 195lb-ft of torque on offer makes swift work of getting out of junctions or taking advantage of a gap. Visibility is good in all areas except for the rear where a small split view can be hard to see out of. At low speeds the steering is light which makes it easy to navigate the tight turns of smaller roads. However, take the Veloster Turbo out and away from daily urban grind and a grin waits to form on your face. Under acceleration the car becomes a rewarding machine to drive with minimal tubro-lag providing a surge up and into the strong mid-rang of the engine. Whilst on paper its figures are no match for top flight hot hatchbacks in terms of 0-60 times, the combination of low down torque and a healthy dose of power means that it continues to pull strongly at higher speeds. The gearing in the car is well balanced for both fuel economy, the lowest we ever saw was 32MPG and it can be as high at 41MPG if you’re good, and a comfortable motorway cruise. Changes themselves are satisfyingly snappy and invite the use of some heel-toe action. Driving on the twisty stuff becomes exciting when you use the turbo to your advantage upon the exit of a corner. The only real downside of the Veloster Turbo on the move is that when you are driving, let us say enthusiastically, understeer does come into play a bit sooner than you would like. Its steering provides good feedback and the suspension allows for very little body roll, that said, do be prepared for a firmer ride as a result.
A Hyundai Veloster Turbo S, the very car we have been testing here, costs £20,000 and if you think about it that is rather good value. It undercuts an equivalent VW Scirocco in terms of price but also packs 184BHP, not to mention the “turbo bragging rights” down at the pub. Those looking for an all-out speed machine need to be looking higher up the food chain and have bigger wallets. The Veloster Turbo serves as a good middle ground for those who are after something a bit different with a good “bangs for bucks” ratio.
So what is the Hyundai Veloster Turbo in the end? Coupe, hatchback, none of the above? To be honest I’m still not sure, but what I am sure of is that it is really rather entertaining to drive.
As I am sure you will have seen on the national news, much of Dorset has been washed away like water soluble paint from a soggy piece of paper in some of the worst floods for decades. Elderly ladies threw life rings to their cats, fisherman moored their boats in local high streets and sights of teenagers wakeboarding behind pick-up trucks became commonplace. What was I doing whilst whilst all of this chaos unfolded before me? I simply observed whilst going about my business like an omnipresent spirit in my living room on wheels. This week I have been testing the new Citroen C4 Picasso.
The MPV market is an important one for Citroen and the Picasso nameplate has served it well in this battleground. However, this segments sales have been increasing year on year and so competitors are very keen to steal Citroen’s thunder. Can this third generation car still claim to be one of the best people/bulky object movers on the road?
This specific Citroen C4 Picasso is the 1.6 litre turbodiesel model in Exclusive trim with every optional extra equipped. That means that whilst the Picasso starts at a reasonable £17,500 our test car comes in at a slightly bonkers £27,775. Not that I am complaining! Remember, there is a flood the other side of this glass so biblical a chap called Noah is building a rather large boat and so all creature comforts are most welcome.
Visually the C4 Picasso does a very good job of standing out from other MPVs. The thin band of LED lights that join the chrome trim gives the car an almost other worldly appearance. Neat body lines, an overall curved silhouette and some very stylistic alloy wheels make the C4 appear premium. Premium is also very much how I would describe the interior.
Entering this Picasso’s cabin is reminiscent of getting into one of Citroen’s top of the line DS branded cars. The quality and abundant design features immediately set a tone of luxury. The heated and massaging seats that are upholstered in leather are almost sculptures in their own right with their two-tone design and intricate stitching. There is a vast amount of space inside this car that is amplified by the large windows and a glass roof. Whilst the front passenger is treated to armrests and even a footrest, those in the back are made perfectly comfortable with adjustable seats and sun blinds. This interior is dominated by a centrally mounted 12 inch display that offers up the cars instruments and other data. Located below is a 7 inch touchscreen display that takes care of everything from infotainment to air conditioning leaving the dashboard almost buttonless. It is safe to say that this Citroen’s cabin is a relaxing place to be even before you set off on your journey.
The keyless system means that from getting in, starting the engine is just a push of a button away. This car has a 6 speed automatic transmission with paddle-shifters if you want to change gear yourself. Personally I think that on a car like this such an option only offers Dads on the school run a few moment of escapism as they pretend to be Lewis Hamilton before their child inevitably cry “are we there yet?!” Leaving the gearbox in automatic, it does a fine job of selecting an appropriate cog and changing, even if the changes themselves are not always the smoothest. Driving around town the C4 Picasso wafts with minimal engine and road noise. The steering is very light which is perfect for a car of this size in a urban environment, but the tradeoff is that it provides little driver feedback. This cars turning circle deserves particular praise as it can navigate a complete revolution of a pancake roundabout with ease. This dexterity combined with rear parking camera and excellent visibility makes placing it in a space easy. That said, if you are not very gifted in terms of spacial awareness, the car is merry to park itself in either a parallel space or a bay. On the motorway the Citroen C4 Picasso excelled providing tranquility and comfort even when the traffic ground to a halt. The suspension soaks up the bumps of the UK’s often poor road surfaces well and body roll through corners is kept at bay.
Though this very C4 Picasso comes with a big price tag, it does ofter an environment so full of creature comforts that I returned home questioning why my bed wasn’t as comfortable. Many of these toys wont be selected by the majority who buy this car, which is fine because as a machine of function this new Picasso acquits itself just as well as its predecessor. A huge boot and plenty of room for the children makes it a perfect fit for families. All-in-all I was impressed with the C4 Picasso and only wish that I could have kept one of its electric heated, massaging, fully reclinable, footrest equipped seats to sleep in.
