Car reviews

So Porsche has opened the lairy paint tins again. What’s it all in aid of? It’s time for a new GT3 RS, that’s what. Though you might suspect a marketing hand in here, I’m pleased to say it’s all to do...

Altea XL. Sounds like a car for the larger person. What’s it about? Not to be too technical it’s basically an Altea with a bigger boot. And that’s it? Well, it’s the same as the Altea up to the...

So this is the most powerful hot hatch on the market? Doesn’t look like it. Maybe not, but the Millennium Falcon didn’t look like much either and look how that went. Deep beneath the exterior of what...

Hang on, isn't the Monaro dead? Not yet, mate. The Aussie-built Calibra-for-the-Millennium Monaro VXR refuses to go quietly. And rightly so. You see it's all thanks to Greens Vauxhall dealership and...

Looks tasty, what’s it all about? It’s basically a regular Civic that’s raided the Type R’s glam-rock make up box. It’s also the nearest we’ll come to the Type R proper until March 2007 when you’ll be...

Err... New Mini? Are you sure? Yes, it’s the new Mini. But you’ll have to be a real geek to spot the differences. If you really want to know it’s a bit longer, and the bonnet is a bit higher for crash...

Hang on a tick – didn’t you drive this last week? No, that was the CL63, the coupe version of the S-class driven here. But I can understand your confusion. Mercedes has just taken the wraps off two of...

We test the 2006 Bentley Conti

Why a GT and not a GTi? That’ll happen in 2007. The GTi will share its 175bhp engine with the Mini Cooper S, but that’s several months away, so we should allow the GT with its 150bhp turbocharged...

Another Mercedes AMG model – is there no stopping these power-crazed Germans? Yes, another AMG, and no, there’s no stopping them. Not that we're complaining. When the CL63 AMG arrives here next March...

Why should we get excited? It’s just a hatchback version of the S40, right? Well, yes and no. The C30 is Volvo’s fourth car – after the S40, V50 and C70 coupe-cabrio – off the Ford C1 platform which...

Dodge Nitro? Sounds pretty explosive. What’s it all about? It’s a Land Rover Freelander-sized SUV designed to appeal to the macho man that Chrysler believe is lurking in every buyer. So it’s a pretty...

What’s this SRT badge about? I thought the Hemi was the hot one. SRT, or ‘street and racing technologies’ is Chrysler’s answer to BMW’s M, Merc’s AMG and Audi’s RS monikers. Big power, big wheels and...

Another over-inflated luxury 4x4? Fair point. There is a whiff of Groundhog Day about the GL-Class but with seven seats, a host of new engines and comfort to match a luxury saloon, it could be worth...

What's this, an even more expensive BMW M6? It certainly is. At £86,400 the convertible costs nearly £5k more than the regular M6 coupe. Yes, it’s a premium price, but BMW has done the sums and knows...

A 911 Targa? It’s just a Carrera with a super-size sunroof isn’t it? Pretty much. But it’s been a staple of the 911 range since the first appeared in the mid sixties. Back then it was a solution to...

That looks a fancy bit of modern art. Very funny. But you’re right – it’s the latest success from C4/C6 designer Jean-Pierre Ploué. And a crucial new seven-seat compact MPV. Thanks to romping parents,...

Yawn! Another coupe-cabrio! We've had hundreds of them in 2006... Ford might be talking about the way forward, but it's pretty backward when it comes to spotting emerging market segments. It was late...

This Espace doesn't look very different – what's new? The Espace gets revised diesel engines for 2007, ensuring all now meet the Euro4 emissions standard. Quality takes a step forward, and there...

Finally, a folding tin top that looks great and isn’t a Mercedes. Amen to that. Although the MX-5 is in a market of about one now that the MR2, Smart Roadster and MGF have vacated the two-seater...