Category : New Cars
Road Test: Honda CR-Z GT (2013)
When Honda launched the CR-Z coupe in 2010, it was tasked with the job of making hybrids sporty. Beneath a bodyshell with hints of the well-loved CR-X in its profile, it used a small … Read More »
Long Termers: Peugeot 508 Hybrid4 – Part 2
The Hybrid4 system works seamlessly. It quickly switches between electric drive to the rear axle and diesel drive to the front and will cut the diesel engine at every opportunity. As we have previously … Read More »
First Drive: Nissan e-NV200
The van’s drivetrain is based on the LEAF’s, with a 105bhp electric motor generating 207lb.ft of torque. Interestingly, the lithium-ion batteries will also be able to use the stored energy to power equipment, making … Read More »
First Drive: Toyota Auris Hybrid
So while there are few clues alluding to it, most of the platform and drivetrain are left unchanged here. Toyota got running costs, practicality and reliability right the first time. Instead, the new Auris … Read More »
First Drive: BMW ActiveHybrid 7
BMW had a go at introducing a 7 Series Hybrid a few years ago, based on the 4.4-litre V8 from the 750i. It was a technological first for the carmaker, and very powerful too. … Read More »
Long Termers: Peugeot 508 Hybrid4 – Part 1
As luck would have it, a Peugeot 508 Hybrid4, the saloon aimed principally at fleet users, was heading towards the Fleet World offices and the chance to spend time with the car was too … Read More »
Exclusive First Drive: Tesla Model S
Better still, this isn't a concept car. A right hand drive version will be available in the UK next year, priced to compete with conventionally powered rivals and with the fleet market firmly on … Read More »
First Drive: Ford Focus BEV
Maybe that is not the best news for Ford as it prepares to launch the Focus BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) in Europe early next year, when production starts at Ford’s Saarlouis plant in Germany … Read More »
Driven: Lexus CT 200h F-Sport
In the UK, this instantly became the biggest-selling Lexus, accounting for half of the marque’s sales despite not having a full year in showrooms. For 2012, Lexus sought to bring its newcomer in line … Read More »
Driven: Renault Twizy
It’s been 16 years since Renault did anything quite this outlandish. Back in 1996, the company launched a limited run of the Spider, a two-seat sports car which – rather like the Twizy – … Read More »
Driven: Toyota Prius Plug-in
It’s been a long time coming. The Prius Plug-in was subjected to a year-long global trial, which has informed the production model, and launched as part of a range-wide facelift earlier this year. These … Read More »
Driven: Infiniti M35h GT Premium
CO2 emissions count for a lot in Europe, so regardless of any positives the M35h could offer, its former 162g/km output gave newcomers Infiniti an uphill struggle in on a market dominated by the … Read More »
Driven: Chevrolet Volt
High efficiency and low CO2 emissions reported for this and the Ampera only give half a picture, so the only way to really understand the strengths and weaknesses of a range-extended electric vehicle is … Read More »
Driven: Honda Insight HS
The latest Honda Insight has only been with us three years, but that short period has involved some radical change of the hybrid market, with plug-in versions, new manufacturers and wider model ranges joining … Read More »
First Drive: Hyundai ix35 Hydrogen FCEV
Talk of hydrogen fuel cells – not to be confused with hydrogen powered internal combustion engines – has been going since most current motoring journalists were in short trousers. Mercedes-Benz had an impressive display … Read More »
Coming soon: Emerald Hybrid Van
A low-emission hybrid delivery van designed specifically for fleets? That is part of the business plan from Intelligent Energy and Revolve Technologies, two UK-based companies that have led a consortium of development partners, with … Read More »
First Drive: BMW ActiveHybrid 3
This is a car which very definitely has a market, specifically Japan and North America where air quality standards make diesels a hard sell, but it’s a bit of a square peg in the … Read More »
First Drive: Toyota Prius+
So if you consider the Prius purely for its rational benefits – reliability, practicality and fuel efficiency, boosted further by the environmental credibility of not churning out diesel fumes – then there’ll be no … Read More »
Driven: Peugeot 508 Hybrid4
The 508 HYbrid4 breaks that mould. It uses the same 161bhp diesel engine and 36bhp electric rear axle as the RXH, but without the chunky bodywork cladding and raised ride height of its closest … Read More »
First drive: Lexus GS 450h
The old GS, with its un-European styling and hybrid-only range, couldn’t quite cut it against the tactile plastics and low-CO2 diesel engines of the German rivals. But it seems Lexus has learned from those … Read More »
