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Ford S-Max 2.0 SCTi EcoBoost (2010) CAR review

Rated 3.5 out of 5

Tim Pollard, 08 March 2010 09:11

Ford’s S-Max MPV still seems a spring chicken, but it has in fact been on sale since 2006. Hence the 2010 facelifted S-Max you see here, ushering in a range of cosmetic tweaks (minor) and engineering upgrades (rather more significant). We’ve tested the all-new model, premiering Ford’s new global EcoBoost engines. Announced at the 2009 Detroit auto show, EcoBoost has ...

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Peugeot 4007 DCS (2009) CAR review

Rated 2.5 out of 5

Glen Waddington, 08 December 2009 09:56

Peugeot 4007? Hmm. What’s new that we can tell you about that? It’s still a renosed, rebadged Mitsubishi Outlander, it still has a Citroën C-Crosser sibling, and it’s still pretty decent if rather pricey and lightweight. Only now you can mix Mitsubishi’s dual-clutch six-speed transmission with PSA’s 2.2-litre HDi turbodiesel. A fine pairing? Let’s find out. Mitsubishi? Dual-clutch? Must be ...

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Toyota Land Cruiser (2009) CAR review

Rated 4 out of 5

Ben Barry, 06 November 2009 15:39

It’s almost 60 years old, five million have been sold throughout the world and, with this all-new model – cue drumroll – the UK will add, well, around 1200 units to that tally annually. You’re unlikely to see one over here, then, so take a good look at the all-new Toyota Land Cruiser while you can. It looks familiar… Evolution’s ...

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VW Scirocco R (2009) CAR review

Rated 3 out of 5

Ben Barry, 04 November 2009 00:01

Volkswagen is nudging upmarket with the new 2009 Scirocco R reviewed here – isn't a 263bhp sports coupé treading dangerously close to the toes of inhouse rival the Audi TT? Especially as the VW Scirocco R costs a competitive £26,945, £6500 less than an equivalently powerful TT S.We've just driven the new VW Scirocco R and can deliver our first ...

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BMW X1 xDrive20d (2009) CAR review

Rated 3.5 out of 5

Ben Pulman, 25 September 2009 23:00

The new BMW X1 is the German car giant’s fourth addition to its 4x4 range, so although the original X5 might have been beaten to market by Mercedes’ M-class, since then the company has always been one SUV step ahead of its homeland rivals. The X3 was launched in 2004, but Mercedes and Audi have only recently launched the GLK ...

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Volvo XC70 DRIVe (2009) CAR review

Rated 3 out of 5

Ben Barry, 27 August 2009 11:07

On looks alone, this Volvo XC70 may seem like old news, yet it puts a whole new twist on the urban off-roader theme. Why? Because, despite the jacked-up stance, it’s actually front-wheel drive. What’s happened to the 4x4 version? Don’t panic, it’s still on sale. The front-wheel drive XC70 has been introduced along with a front-drive XC60, both cars being ...

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BMW 135i Performance Pack (2009) CAR review

Rated 3 out of 5

Ben Barry, 21 August 2009 09:30

Sporty BMWs and aftermarket add-ons go hand-in-hand. Some AC Schnitzer aluminium pedals for your M3, perhaps? A set of Hartge rims? Maybe even a Dinan supercharger kit? Now BMW has decided to tap this lucrative niche, offering the BMW Performance line of exterior and interior accessories for the 1- and 3-series. Here we drive the firm’s fully loaded 135i demo. ...

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Volvo XC60 2.4 D DRIVe (2009) CAR review

Rated 3 out of 5

Ben Barry, 20 August 2009 10:50

The two-wheel drive SUV might sound like an oxymoron, but it’s a trend that’s catching on – BMW’s X1 will be available with rear- and four-wheel drive drivetrains, and the previously all-wheel drive-only XC60 can now be had in front-wheel drive too. That’s the car we’re driving, in 2.4D DrivE SE Lux spec. And the point of the front-wheel drive ...

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Audi A5 Sportback 2.0 TDI CAR review

Rated 3 out of 5

Anthony ffrench-Constant, 27 July 2009 11:01

Even though Audi is seemingly hellbent on producing a different model for each and every one of its 100-year history, you’d be forgiven for questioning the imposition of five-door hatchback status on anything quite as pretty as the original A5 Coupé. There is, however, method in this ostensible madness because, with Saab’s 9-3 hatch now defunct and BMW’s 5-series GT ...

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Honda Accord Type S Tourer (2009) CAR review

Rated 4 out of 5

Glen Waddington, 08 July 2009 14:56

The 2.2-litre diesel engine in Honda’s Accord looked a little undernourished on paper – until now. It’s been boosted by 30bhp to a much more competitive 178bhp, and torque is up from 258lb ft to 280lb ft – and spread from 2000-2750rpm. To capitalise on the extra grunt, Honda’s added a new model at the top of the Accord range, ...

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