Author Archives: Rob Auchterlonie

MITSUBISHI MIRAGE: It’s no illusion

HERE’S a Mirage that’s very real – and one you’re likely to see more and more of on the roads.

And you’ve got to say confidence in Mitsubishi’s latest small car is high. One dealer took 23 orders on his launch weekend and Mitsubishi UK MD Lance Bradley says although they’re targeting 4,000 sales a year, the initial response has been so good they feel they can quite easily sell twice that number.

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SKODA OCTAVIA: D for desirability

SKODA’S latest Octavia could have been made for Dickens’ endearing little chap Oliver Twist – the lad who wanted more.

Because that’s what he’d get if he wandered into his local showroom.

The third generation Octavia, billed as the most advanced Skoda ever, would fill the little bloke’s bowl with a healthy portion of what they’ve offered in the past – and another helping on top for good measure.

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RADICAL WRITING WINS WILLIAM TOP MGMW PRIZE

AN imaginary 160mph dash from Wolverhampton to Salisbury has won a £1,000 holiday for lucky William Core, a 14-year-old who wants to be a car designer.

William, who lives in Finchfield, Wolverhampton, took the award for a short story he wrote in an annual competition organised by the Midland Group of Motoring Writers.

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TOYOTA AURIS: The memory lingers on

BACK in the days when I first started road testing cars, there was one that stood out like a beacon when it came to reliability – and let’s face it, 30 odd years ago cars were NOT that reliable.

Toyota’s Corolla was the car the world bought because while it was hardly likely to raise your blood pressure or bring out beads of sweat on your forehead, you knew it would always get you home. Without fail.

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HYUNDAI SANTA FE: customer feedback helps shape new model

In our house we know it as the car that Jim drives….

Hyundai has introduced the New Generation Santa Fe – one of the brand’s most iconic and popular models in the range.

The popular D-segment SUV has been re-styled outside and inside, fitted with intelligent new technology, and is now powered by a more efficient diesel engine with reduced CO2.

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Testing times….

Looking for information on any particular car?

Over the past 30 odd years I’ve run the rule over most of the major cars that populate our roads, thanks to good links with the top manufacturers.

On this site you’ll find recent tests of cars from Alfa Romeo, Audi, Bentley, BMW, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Fiat, Ford, Great Wall, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Jaguar, Kia, Lexus, Mazda,
Mercedes-Benz, MG, MINI, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Peugeot, Porsche, Range Rover, Renault,
Saab, SEAT, Skoda, smart, Subaru, Suzuki, Toyota, Vauxhall, Volkswagen and Volvo.

Other information available at the drop of an email to the address below, or even a phonecall – I do answer it sometimes!