Author: Robin Roberts

Audi has dealt a clever hand and a blow to rivals by offering petrol or diesel mild hybrid new versions of its highly popular Q5 rather than go down the pure electric road now being taken by competitors. It is, simply, building and selling the cars customers are asking for in their lives. They are also a lot cheaper than pure battery electric vehicles. While initially sold with a self-charging 48-volt motor, there will be plug in hybrids joining the range in the near future. Now in its third series, the range comprises six versions with petrol or diesel engines,…

International Motors Ltd, a leading UK-based vehicle importer and distributor, will introduce new Mitsubishi vehicles to the UK from next summer. The new models, drawn from Mitsubishi Motors’ global line-up, will bring the brand’s latest advancements in innovation and four-wheel drive technologies, to the UK market, it said today. Complementing the established Mitsubishi aftersales network of over one hundred sites, a dedicated number of retailers are currently being appointed to handle sales and customer service. Customer deliveries are scheduled to begin in summer 2026. Sharon Townsend, Head of Mitsubishi Motors in Solihull, said, “We’re delighted to be introducing exciting new Mitsubishi…

It’s not turned a wheel on British roads but already been rated as one of the safest cars you can buy. The all-new Mazda6e has achieved a maximum five-star rating by Euro NCAP in its recent series of tests. In the two categories of Adult Occupant and Child Occupant protection, Mazda’s latest all-electric model scored an excellent 93%. The Mazda6e was also rated 74% for the protection of Vulnerable Road Users and 77% for its Safety Assist systems. The Mazda6e’s 93% score in Adult Occupancy included maximum points in the side barrier test and good or adequate protection to all…

Making the right car at the right time is an objective all manufacturers aim to achieve but do not always reach and the 21st century has been decades of decisions and, generally, success for Skoda. After producing some of the ropiest cars sold across Europe in second half of the 20th century, Skoda became part of the massive Volkswagen Group in 1991 and their models and fortunes dramatically changed. Once the bargain brand of VW which reworked previous models as they were superseded, the current Skoda line up is, in fact, a parallel range utilising the Group’s enormous engineering resources…

On the back of soaring sales in September, a new Kia Sportage has hit showrooms. After four generations since 1995 it has become Britain’s most popular family sized SUV and now gets a significant facelift outside and in with a number of technical improvements to build on the range’s powertrain options. The latest fifth generation of eight models come with a choice of three power trains and renamed three trim levels, Pure, GT-Line and GT-Line S, utilising 147bhp 1.6 four-cylinder petrol engine or 235bhp version with a 47.7kW electric motor as a hybrid. Depending on the model and engine there…

Sometimes it’s not the first which leaves a lasting impression but the last which comes first in your mind. That’s certainly the case with the Lexus LM350, a rival to the established luxury MPVs from the premium German brands. In the rarefied ranks of executive people movers chauffeuring between airports and hotels or whisking their occupants to film premieres, the Lexus LM350 hybrid brings a new level of exclusivity, refinement and sophistication, together with remarkable economy. Originally announced in 2019 and going on sale in the Far East the following year as a petrol only model, the second generation from…

When you discover your car’s glovebox can only be opened by an electric switch you realise you’re driving something a bit different, a bit special and out of the ordinary. The discovery was made as we sat transfixed by the sheer complexity of the Polestar 3’s infotainment and driving display contained in a 14.5-inch laptop-like portrait screen in the centre of the fascia. And that was just the start before we ventured further and had even moved off. At this point we need to stress the importance or necessity of becoming fully acquainted with what is hidden deep behind that…

The UK new car market is buzzing with electric models at high prices, so it’s worth taking a look at one of the cheapest – the Leapmotor T03. A Stellantis joint venture with the Chinese company, the car is made in Poland on lines previously producing the Fiat 500, another Stellantis brand, and the Leapmotor models are sold through the more familiar showrooms selling Fiat and Alfa marques. This serves both parents very well, giving the Stellantis dealers a cheaper way into the bargain ev-sector while ensuring Leapmotor have a toe in the European market. How this will ultimately affect…

Toyota makes its boldest move yet into the EV arena with the 2025 Toyota bZ4X—an all‑electric SUV that represents the automaker’s next chapter in going “beyond‑Zero.” Built on Toyota’s e‑TNGA platform and wearing a name as curious as its capabilities, the bZ4X steps into the ring against well‑known rivals—including its near‑twin, the Subaru Solterra. Prices, Power and Range The line‑up spans from Pure to Motion and Vision variants, priced roughly between £43,000 and just over £51,500. All models share a 71.4 kWh battery and offer either 201 hp (2WD) or 218 hp (AWD), letting buyers choose between extended range and enhanced all‑weather performance.…

When the world’s best-selling car gets a significant upgrade, it’s worth paying attention. The Toyota Corolla — a name that’s been around since 1966 and surpassed 50 million sales globally — is back with a refreshed look and smarter tech for 2025. Available with hybrid powertrains built in the UK and Poland, the latest Corolla has undergone subtle but meaningful updates. That includes a slick new digital driver display, an upgraded multimedia system, and enhanced safety tech that keeps it competitive in today’s hybrid-heavy market. But is it still the practical, economical hatchback buyers love — or has it gone…