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What Car? Magazine Online is the UK's best source of expert, impartial advice on all aspects of buying, owning and selling cars.
2012 Kia Cee'd 1.6 CRDi 126 review |
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The Kia Cee'd was the car that elevated the Korean brand to a new level of desirability the UK. This second-generation model aims to take it to higher still. It's closely related to the new Hyundai i30, and shares much of the same technology. That extends to its 126bhp 1.6 diesel engine, which Kia expects will be the most popular in the range. Prices for this model start at £16,295, and rise to £23,595. What’s the 2012 Kia Cee'd like to drive? This engine deserves to be a popular choice, we'd say. It's not especially strong, but it's usefully flexible and exceptionally refined. There's a gentle thrum under acceleration, but at motorway speed barely a whisper. There's little wind noise, too, and a persistent level of road noise doesn't stop the Cee'd being a quiet cruiser. The handling is good, too, and although the steering a little slow to respond, the Cee'd is more fun to drive than an i30. The ride is firm, but not overly so.  The Kia Cee'd is more fun to drive than the closely related Hyundai i30 What’s the 2012 Kia Cee'd like inside? The Cee'd's cabin is solid, but lower-spec models are noticeably less plush than the pricier ones. Overall, the Hyundai i30's interior has a bit more sparkle and a VW Golf feels like a much more expensive car. The driving position is good, however, and there's enough space for five to sit in comfort.  Lower-spec models are noticeably less plush inside than pricier variants Should I buy one? Anyone worried that Kia would see the launch of the new Cee'd as an excuse to bump up prices can rest easy – value for money remains one of its key strengths. In entry-level 1 trim the 1.6 CRDi costs £16,295: that makes it cheaper – and more powerful – than most rivals. Add in a seven-year warranty and it's a very appealing package. At this price, the Cee'd's strongest competition comes from – you guessed it – the Hyundai i30 1.6 CRDi 110 Classic, which offers similar kit, but costs £500 more and has a version of the same engine, with less power (albeit no less torque). For now, it's too close to call. We'll have a definitive answer when we've tested the two cars back-to-back.  Value for money remains one of the Cee'd's key strengths Rivals: Hyundai i30 VW Golf What Car? says…  Leo Wilkinson |
| 05/18/2012 06:00 PM |
Our cars tested: weekly updates |
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We put the What Car? fleet through the ultimate test - everyday life. We’re a varied bunch of people, and drive each other's cars regularly, so we find out what the cars on test are like from a wide range of perspectives. Each week we update our reports, giving you the insider track on what these cars are like to own. Simply click on the links below to get the latest on our cars or scroll to the bottom to see video updates of our cars. Alfa Romeo Giulietta Run by Tom Webster, staff writer Alfa Romeo Giulietta on test Audi A1 Run by Rosie McMahon, data editor Audi A1 on test Ford Focus Run by Adele Donaghie, managing editor Ford Focus on test Honda Civic Run by Leo Wilkinson, deputy web editor Honda Civic on test Honda CR-Z Run by Steve Huntingford, new cars editor Honda CR-Z on test Hyundai i40 Tourer Run by Stephen Hopkins, art editor Hyundai i40 on test Jaguar XF Run by Euan Doig, group production editor Jaguar XF on test Lexus CT200h Run by Neil Williams, photographer Lexus CT200h on test Kia Picanto Run by What Car? staff Kia Picanto on test Mercedes-Benz CLS Run by Chas Hallett, editor-in-chief Mercedes CLS on test Mini Countryman Run by What Car? staff Mini Countryman on test Mini Coupe Run by Ivan Aistrop, content editor Mini Coupe on test Nissan Leaf Run by What Car? staff Nissan Leaf on test Peugeot 508 SW Run by Andrew Golby, publishing director Peugeot 508 SW on test Range Rover Evoque Run by John McIlroy, magazine editor Range Rover Evoque on test Vauxhall Astra GTC Run by Emma Butcher, consumer editor Vauxhall Astra on test Volkswagen Passat Estate Run by Barnaby Jones, deputy production editor Volkswagen Passat Estate on test Used Nissan Qashqai Run by Rory White, used car reporter Nissan Qashqai on test Our cars: previous reports BMW Alpina D3 Audi A2 on test BMW 5 Series Touring Citroen DS3 Ford S-Max Hyundai ix35 Infiniti M30d Jaguar XJ Mazda CX-7 Nissan Juke on test Peugeot 3008 Range Rover Renault Megane Renaultsport Seat Alhambra Skoda Yeti Vauxhall Astra Sport Tourer Volkswagen Golf Volvo S60 |
| 05/18/2012 04:00 PM |
Volkswagen Golf GTI Cabriolet review |
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The new Golf GTI Cabriolet is the first soft-top version of VW's iconic hot hatch for almost 20 years. It's instantly recognisable as a GTI, thanks to telephone dial alloy wheels, a deep front air dam and a honeycomb grille with a red surround. However, like every Golf Cabriolet, it has a fully electric hood that can be lowered in 9.5 seconds while driving at speeds of up to 18mph. Power comes from the hatchback's 208bhp 2.0-litre turbo engine, and this helps the Cabrio sprint from 0-62mph in 7.3 seconds – just 0.4 seconds slower than the hatch. What's the 2012 Golf GTI Cabriolet like to drive? Chopping the roof off a car inevitably compromises rigidity, and you can feel this in the way sharp bumps send shudders through the GTI Cabriolet's body and steering wheel. The ride is more unsettled than the hatch's over patched-up roads, too. However, it's far from harsh, and the GTI Cabrio still feels poised, alert and grippy. Well-weighted steering adds to the sense of fun. The performance figures don't do the engine justice, either, because it loves to rev, yet is just as happy when you rely on its strong low- and mid-range torque.  The performance figures don't do the engine justice Roof-up refinement is equally impressive, but you need to fit the wind deflector when the roof is down, or there's a lot of wind buffeting in the cabin. A six-speed manual gearbox – that doesn't like to be rushed – is standard, while VW's DSG paddle-shift 'box is available as a £1300 option.  Roof-up refinement is impressive; the handling is alert and grippy What's the 2012 Golf GTI Cabriolet like inside? Alloy pedals, tartan seats and a flat-bottomed steering wheel give the cabin a sporty look, and the dashboard feels classy and is logically arranged. Drivers of all sizes should be able to get comfortable because there's a huge range of seat and steering wheel adjustment. Rear vision is restricted with the roof up, however, and it can be hard to read the sat-nav screen in bright sunlight. Two adults can sit in the back without feeling overly cramped. Alternatively, you can drop the rear seats to supplement the boot, which has a modest 250-litre capacity and a small opening. Should I buy one? If you're in the market for a fast four-seat convertible, the Golf GTI Cabriolet should be at – or near – the top of your list. It's priced to compete with the BMW 125i Convertible and the 2.0 TFSI version of Audi's A3 Cabriolet, yet it feels more special than both. Just make sure you really want a convertible; the GTI hatch is better to drive and up to £3660 cheaper. Rivals: Audi A3 Cabriolet 2.0 TFSI Sport BMW 125i M Sport Convertible What Car? says... Steve Huntingford |
| 05/18/2012 03:20 PM |
VW Polo WRC Street concept unveiled |
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Volkswagen has unveiled a concept car that previews the Polo R hot hatch, which is due to go on sale in late 2013. The Polo WRC Street concept car was created for the annual VW car festival in Worthersee, Austria, and takes its inspiration from the Polo rally car that will compete in next year's World Rally Championship. The WRC Street has big alloy wheels and a bodykit that includes a tailgate spoiler and a rear diffuser, plus its body graphics mirror those of the rally car. Where the rally car is powered by a 296bhp 1.6-litre turbo engine, the WRC Street uses a 2.0-litre turbo that produces 217bhp. That might sound like a big shortfall, but it's still 39bhp more than the Polo GTI offers and 9bhp more than the Golf GTI. The production version of the Polo R will be a rival for the next-generation Renault Clio Renaultsport 200 Cup and Mini Cooper S John Cooper Works, which are likely to go on sale at around the same time. Also on display at the Worthersee show was the production version of the Golf GTI Cabriolet, which is on sale now, priced from £29,310, and two GTI hatchback concept models: the GTI Black Dynamic and the GTI White Concept. The Black Dynamic was created by Volkswagen apprentices, and features a 355bhp engine and an 1800-watt stereo, while the White Concept has matte white paint and a black and red interior. Steve Huntingford |
| 05/17/2012 07:00 PM |
New Skoda Rapid from around £12k |
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The new Skoda Rapid will cost from around £12,000, when it goes on sale in November, according to company insiders. The Rapid will sit between the Fabia and the Octavia in Skoda’s range, and is the production version of the MissionL concept car revealed at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show. It will share the same underpinnings as the Seat Toledo, and order books are expected to open around September. Skoda revealed a saloon version of the Rapid at the 2012 Beijing motor show, but it will be a more practical hatchback that goes on sale in the UK. Skoda sources have suggested that a 'sportback' lifestyle estate version that puts sleek looks ahead of outright load capacity could arrive in 2013. The first pictures of the production-ready Rapid are expected next month, with prices and engine details due in July. It'll be officially unveiled at the Paris motor show in September. The Rapid is a similar size to the current Octavia, which is due for replacement in the second half of 2013. The all-new Octavia will be bigger, sleeker and more expensive than the current model, to accommodate the Rapid in Skoda's range. A version of the new Octavia is expected to be shown at the Geneva motor show next March. Mark Pearson |
| 05/17/2012 03:00 PM |
New Audi A3 petrol to match diesel's CO2 |
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Audi's new 1.4 'cylinder on demand' petrol engine will match the equivalent diesel version's CO2 emissions when it arrives in the new A3 next spring. The engine saves fuel by shutting down two of its four cylinders when cruising. An Audi insider told What Car? that early indications suggest a CO2 output of just 106g/km. If that's confirmed, it puts the 138bhp turbocharged petrol version on a par with the more expensive 148bhp 2.0 TDI model. This news will be of interest to company car drivers, who are currently charged a higher Benefit in Kind (BiK) tax rate on diesels. The new 1.4 petrol engine is expected to offer 40%-rate taxpayers a monthly saving of around £27 compared with an equivalent 2.0 TDI model. The 1.4 petrol won’t quite match the 2.0 TDI on fuel economy – it’s expected to return an average of 61.8mpg compared with the diesel’s 68.9mpg – but fuel bills will be similar as long as petrol remains cheaper at the pumps. Asked if such a clean petrol engine will render the more expensive diesel version redundant, Audi A3 marketing manager Rob Morris said he still expected the 2.0 TDI to be the bigger seller, due to the diesel preference of most fleet managers. ‘Part of my job is to educate fleet managers about the benefits of our latest petrol engines, but this won’t happen overnight,’ he said. Audi also confirmed that the hugely successful A3 Cabriolet will be replaced in 2014. Will Nightingale |
| 05/17/2012 02:50 PM |
Skoda Citigo from £75 per month |
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The Skoda Citigo could be available for as little as £75 per month, according to well-placed industry sources. At its UK launch, Skoda insiders told us that the Citigo could be available under a personal contract hire scheme for an initial deposit of around £2000, followed by monthly payments of £75. Alternatively, a deposit of £145 would mean monthly payments of £145. The Citigo is closely related to the Volkswagen Up, our 2012 Car of the Year. Leasing deals for the Up currently start at around £85 per month. Prices for the Citigo will start from £7630 when it goes on sale in June. That's £365 less than the cheapest Volkswagen Up and £215 less than the entry-level Seat Mii – making Skoda's model the least expensive of the three virtually identical city cars. A five-door version of the Citigo will be launched at the same time and will cost £350 more than the three-door car. Mark Pearson |
| 05/17/2012 12:40 PM |
New Astra to be built at Ellesmere Port |
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The future of the Vauxhall factory at Ellesmere Port has been secured after Vauxhall's parent company, General Motors (GM) announced that it will build the next-generation Astra there. GM will confirm the deal later today. The news will safeguard around 2100 jobs at the factory, and create hundreds more when a third shift is added to the production line by 2015. Business secretary Vince Cable said that the deal showed the UK was 'a good business environment for the motor industry'. It is thought that the Unite union's cooperation in recommending a new deal on pay and conditions was central to GM's decision to bring production of the car to Ellesmere Port. The union deal is said to include a two-year pay freeze. Unite's general secretary, Len McCluskey said: 'From a position of uncertainty earlier this year, there is now a potential for a future at the plant until 2020 and beyond, and with that 700 new skilled jobs at Ellesmere Port itself, and possibly hundreds more in the supply chain. 'Importantly, this move will also bring component supplier plants back into the UK, a development that strengthens our manufacturing base generally.' Vauxhall Chairman and Managing Director Duncan Aldred said: 'This is great news for the Ellesmere Port factory. We have been able to develop a responsible labour agreement that secures the plant’s future. This is assisted by the government‘s industrial strategy; increasing its focus on the manufacturing sector and creating ideal ground for companies to build up long-term investments. 'With Ellesmere Port’s proven build quality and a new agreement that ensures excellent cost competitiveness, this facility will provide additional employment and, as the lead plant for the next-generation Astra, will be one of the cornerstones of our European manufacturing footprint.' However, the good news for Ellesmere Port could mean the closure of the Opel factory in Bochum, Germany. Pete Barden |
| 05/17/2012 10:11 AM |
Porsche 918 Spyder revealed |
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This is the Porsche 918 Spyder, which will go into production late next year. Its styling is clearly reminiscent of the stunning concept car that was first displayed at the 2010 Geneva motor show. Power is supplied by a 4.6-litre V8 and two axle-mounted electric motors, which develop a combined output of 759bhp. This will propel the 918 from 0-62mph in just 3.0 seconds, and on to beyond 200mph – yet return average economy of 94mpg and CO2 emissions of just 70g/km. The 918 Spyder can also travel distances of up to 15 miles on electric power alone. The 918 Spyder is expected to cost more than £650,000. It has racing car-inspired touches such as its 'top pipe' exhausts that exit just behind the carbonfibre-reinforced-plastic (CFRP) monocoque. The design, according to Porsche, helps divert heat away from the hybrid's battery packs. Rear-wheel steering is aimed at giving the 918 greater cornering ability, while high-performance brakes – with energy recuperation – will help slow things down when required. Just 918 of the cars will be built, with first deliveries in early 2014. Pete Barden |
| 05/16/2012 10:29 AM |
2012 Audi A3 review |
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The new Audi A3 is a hugely important model, because it’s the replacement for Audi’s biggest seller in the UK. Perhaps that’s why the designers have played it safe with the exterior styling. The new A3 has slimmer headlights and sharper body creases than its predecessor, but it looks much like a face-lifted version of that car. Don’t be fooled, though. The latest A3 is built on a new platform that will also underpin the next generation Volkswagen Golf. There are big efficiency gains; engine stop-start is now standard across the range, and Audi has used aluminium and high-strength steel to help make the new car up to 80kg lighter than the old one. What’s the 2012 Audi A3 like to drive? The diet that the A3 has been on is good news for agility as well as efficiency. Our test cars came on standard suspension (there’s also a Sport set-up that lowers the ride height by 15mm, and an S line set-up that lowers it by 25mm), but body roll was well controlled. The steering is a little slow, so the A3 doesn’t feel especially sporty. However, it always reacts in a predictable way and the steering weights up reassuringly when you put the Drive Select system (standard on Sport and S line models, and an option on SEs) in Dynamic mode.  Ride comfort also seemed pretty good on the Spanish roads of our test route, although these were significantly smoother than the roads you generally find in the UK, and the suspension didn’t completely isolate us from the few rough stretches we found. Three engines are available at launch: 121bhp 1.4 and 178bhp 1.8 turbo petrols and the 148bhp 2.0-litre diesel that we spent most time in. The diesel is a strong and flexible performer that’s happy to pull from well below 1500rpm, and while it transmits some vibration into the cabin at idle, it’s smooth at cruising speeds.  Only the dual-clutch S tronic gearbox (which will be available as an option from November) really disappoints, delivering jerky shifts when left in automatic mode. It’s much smoother when you take control using the gearlever or the steering wheel-mounted paddles. The S tronic works slightly better with the 1.8-litre engine, which pulls eagerly throughout its rev range and makes the car seriously fast. We also tried two engines that will be joining the line-up early next year. The 103bhp 1.6 TDI boasts CO2 emissions of just 99g/km, yet it's incredibly smooth and flexible, even from low revs. Perhaps even more impressive, though, is the the 138bhp 1.4 petrol. This turbocharged engine is as strong and punchy as you'd expect, yet emits just 106g/km of CO2 thanks to a clever 'cylinder on demand' system, which shuts off two of the engine's four cylinders when cruising to save fuel. All versions are very refined at a steady cruise, with a touch of wind noise around the door mirrors the only thing disturbing the peace. When the new A3 goes on sale, it will be available in front-wheel-drive form only. However, four-wheel drive will be offered as on option later on more powerful models. What’s the 2012 Audi A3 like inside? The old A3 had one of the classiest cabins in the small family car sector, but the new one takes things to a whole new level. It’s built from the sort of materials you’d usually expect to find in an executive saloon, while beautifully weighted switchgear, and a super-slim infotainment screen that glides out of the dash add to the impression that no expense has been spared. That slim-line screen forms part of Audi’s Multi Media Interface, which comes as standard, and lets you control most of the A3’s major functions via a central control dial and a small collection of buttons.  The system is now more user-friendly than ever, because Audi has raised some of the shortcut keys, allowing you to find the one you want simply by touch. However, it still isn’t as intuitive as BMW's iDrive, which features fewer buttons and clearer menus. People of all sizes should be able to find a comfortable driving position in the A3, thanks to generous front space and a huge range of adjustment. The front seats return to their previous position after you’ve let someone into the rear, too, so you don’t have to reset your driving position afterwards.  Rear space is less impressive (both the Golf and the BMW 1 Series offer more) but six-footers can fit without too much discomfort. The boot has grown from 350 to 365 litres for the new car, making it one of the biggest in the class. It also comes with an adjustable floor that reduces the load lip and ensures there’s no step up to the rear seats when they’re folded forward. Entry-level SE cars come with alloy wheels, Bluetooth, voice control and manual air-con, while Sport models add dual-zone climate control, sports seats and the sports suspension (the standard SE suspension is available as a no-cost option). Sports suspension is also standard on range-topping S line models, but the SE and S line suspension set-ups are no-cost options, and S line cars are the only ones that get a bodykit and xenon headlights. Should I buy one? The new A3 is significantly better than the car it replaces, yet most prices have risen by only a few hundred pounds and running costs will be lower. For example, the 2.0-litre diesel averages 4.7mpg more than its predecessor and sits two company car tax bands lower, despite having more power. Still, as impressive as this is, we reckon it’s worth waiting until later in the year when the range will expand to include the 1.6-litre diesel engine, or until spring 2013 when Audi will introduce the 'cylinder on demand' 1.4. It’s also worth noting that Audi will add a five-door Sportback version to the range next spring, while Mercedes will launch a new A-Class and Volkswagen a new Golf before the end of the year. Rivals: BMW 1 Series VW Golf What Car? says… Steve Huntingford |
| 05/15/2012 05:56 PM |
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