Another SUV?

Yep, in these tree-hugging planet worrying times Mazda has added another SUV choice to the market. And why shouldn’t they, SUV sales aren’t in quite the freefall some people would have you believe with plenty of customers still out there looking for chunkily–styled off-roaders. Even so nobody at Mazda is too sure where it’s going to fit, particularly as at launch it’s only available with the same 256bhp MZR 2.3-litre DISI turbocharged four that powers the 3 and 6 MPS models. No diesel alternative yet, so it’s hardly surprising when Mazda talks of sales in the region of 1000-1500 a year – hardly numbers to trouble Land Rover’s Freelander.

CX-7? That’ll be a seven-seater?

Err, nope you’re mistaken. The 7 doesn’t refer to the number of seats – if that where the case this would be the CX-5. Though when did you last see people in the furthermost row of seats in an SUV? The CX-7 isn’t really aimed at the family-hauling market, even if the rear legroom is generous and boot huge. Instead, it’s aimed at those drivers the marketing people describe as having multi-activity lifestyles.
continue reading "Mazda CX-7 2.3"

Today we reveal our first driving impressions of Jaguar’s replacement for the S-type and its answer to BMW’s big selling 5-series. Roomier, better built and better equipped than before it also showcases a new design language for Jaguar’s saloons. And click here to see the Jaguar XF in action with CAR road test editor Chris Chilton behind the wheel.

So Jaguar finally binned retro design?

Not quite, they just got a lot smarter about incorporating it into a modern design language. The old Jag cues are still there if you look: the grille inspired by the groundbreaking ’68 XJ, the traditional fluting above the headlamps, the Mk2-esque line of the chrome trim above the side window line and the phallic E-type bonnet bulge. But yes, this is a very modern-looking car. There’s a whiff of Lexus about the shape, but the XF is far better looking and more coupe-like than any saloon bar the Mercedes CLS.

I’m still not sure…

Trust us, it looks great in the metal where a three-quarter view of the Aston-like rear end is the strongest angle. That it does resemble an Aston is little surprise given Jag’s design boss is Ian Callum, the man who shaped Aston’s current design language in a previous life. It looks muscular no matter which engine is under the bonnet, but suits bigger wheels (can anyone remember a car from the last 10 years that didn’t?).
continue reading "Jaguar XF SV8"

Doesn’t look too bad. Someone said Hyundai Coupe facelift and all I could think of was that mess they made of the original Coupe seven years ago…

We’re equally relieved. This Coupe still looks pretty handsome overall – some even noted the resemblance to Ferrari’s 456 when it was launched. And there’s a good reason why Hyundai kept its designers on a tight leash: this car is more popular in the UK than BMW’s 3-series coupe. So the cosmetic tweaks are limited to stretched headlights, a reshaped grille and new fog lights. There are new side air vents and some changes to the rear too including new lamps and exhaust trims. Which distinguishes this model from the old one, but it’s all a bit Halfords accessory department.

So that’s the cosmetics dealt with. What else is new?

Er, that’s pretty much it. There are some new paint colours, overpowering blue insrument lighting (a decade after Volkswagen did it on the Mk4 Golf) and some metal-effect trim on the centre-console and wheel. Oh, and an iPod connector, which is probably the best change of all. Mechanically, there are no changes at all. The four-cylinder engines (103bhp 1.6, 62mph in 11.9sec, yawn; and a 141bhp 2.0-litre, 62mph in 9.3sec, smaller yawn) and the 162bhp V6 we drove, are carried over.
continue reading "Hyundai Coupe facelift 2.7 V6"

Surely hybrids are worthy but dull? What’s going on with the slinky CR-Z?

The CR-Z is only a concept at the moment, but it’s been given the green light to go into production by Honda president and CEO Takeo Fukui, and what you see here is a very close representation of the finished article. It’s a lightweight two plus two sports car powered by an as-yet unnamed petrol-hybrid IMA motor which should hit dealers globally in 2009. Honda believes that if you’re going to use hybrid technology, it should be in as lightweight a car as possible – opposing Toyota’s view which is to shoehorn hybrids into bigger and bigger Lexus models. Honda thinks that professional young thrusters with little responsibility but lots of environmental awareness, rather than rich middle-aged executives, are the major growth market for hybrids. The CR-Z is smaller than a three-door Civic and Honda thinks it’s on to a winner here, with the small sports coupe served pretty poorly, with the ageing C-class Sport Coupe and forthcoming Volkswagen Scirocco about the only contenders.
continue reading "Honda CR-Z"

Here’s the first drive verdict on Ford’s all-new Fiesta, the most important supermini to be launched in 2008. Not only is the Fiesta Britain’s best-selling small car and the sporting driver’s choice, it’s also the backbone of loss-making Ford’s turnaround plan.

By 2010, the Fiesta hatchback will be on sale in Asia and North America (as well as Europe), a global strategy that will be rolled out to the next-generation Focus and Mondeo, as Ford battles for profitability. But has the desire to please everyone led to a mixed-up mess that will satisfy nobody? Read our first drive of the 1.6-litre petrol Fiesta to find out.

CAR is in Tuscany, Italy, driving the European version of the new hatchback. The Fiesta goes on UK sale in October 2008, priced from £8695 for a three-door Studio model running the base 59bhp 1.25-litre petrol. We tested a plush 1.6-litre Titanium spec model, with five doors, a new four-cylinder Ti-VCT petrol kicking out 118bhp and a lofty £13,195 fee. The price may be indulgent but the equipment is too: cruise control, auto headlamps and wipers, leather seats, keyless entry, Bluetooth ‘phone connectivity and big alloys are all included, to catch affluent punters ready to downsize.
continue reading "Ford Fiesta 1.6"