Category Archives: Manufacturer

Executive saloon, Lexus, Manufacturer, Motor reviews, Vehicle type

Hybrid lap of luxury

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Lexus ES

By Bill McCarthy

FEW may have heard of this stunning looking Lexus, but it has been around for 30 years – but not in the UK.

In fact it is the brand’s most popular saloon, having sold 3.5 million worldwide.

You can see why. It is a luxury motor taking on the likes of the BMW 5 series, Mercedes E-Class, Jaguar XF and Volvo S90.

A stiff challenge then, but it has the advantage of being something new and offering tested hybrid technology. Based on the firm’s Global Architecture-K platform, it has what is described as ‘Provocative Elegance’

It looks a real great with chiselled and sculpted angular lines, while F-Sport  bespoke features include a close-mesh pattern in the signature spindle grille made up of interlocking ‘L’ shapes, set within a jet black frame, discreet, integrated bootlid spoiler, lower rear bumper valance and F Sport badging.

Despite the 2.5-litre engine and battery producing 215bhp, acceleration is not going to throw you back in your seat. The car hits 62mph in nearly nine seconds and on to a  top speed is 112mph where permitted. 

But this model adds Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) which provides 650 levels of automatic, adjustment to the damping force at each wheel. AVS adds Sport S and Sport S+ settings for the Drive Mode Select system which sharpens up throttle, transmission and steering parameters along with the adaptive dampers.

If performance isn’t exactly electric, economy certainly is.

Official consumption figures are around 52mpg (WLTP figures) and CO2 emissions from 106g/km. This puts it in the highly competitive 25 per cent benefit in kind figure for business user.

The front wheels are driven by the electronic continuously variable transmission (E-CVT) which is a a world away from early CVT efforts. As a full hybrid, it has the benefit of a fully electric EV driving mode, perfect in slow moving traffic and above a certain speed kicks in where driving conditions warrant it.

The interior, is a luxurious place to be with F Sport  styling including sports front seats embossed with the F Sport emblem and a striking new aluminium trim.

Also exclusive to the F Sport, the leather upholstery can be specified in a bold Flare Red colour, while the rest of the cab is finished with leather trim and high quality soft touch finish to the luxury to dash and doors.

The central console features a track/pad mouse which control the major functions  through the central eight-inch display screen. It can be a bit fiddly and is very sensitive, especially on the move, but you can use voice commands.

The touchscreen  controls sat nav, climate control, connectivity and  sound system and there is also a multi-display system incorporated into the binnacle.

At under £40,000 the list of kit represents good value, with a comprehensive list including DAB radio, front and rear parking sensors and reversing camera, power-adjustable, heated front seats, power-adjustable steering column, sunroof, rear privacy glass and  dual-zone climate control.

It also features LED headlights, cruise control, parking sensors, with camera, smart entry and push-button start.

The list continues with the comprehensive safety kit to gain a Euro NCAP five star rating which includes 10 air bags, traction and stability control and on this model blind spot monitor, rear cross traffic alert and new daytime cyclist and night-time pedestrian detection.

This is a big car as evidenced trying to park in out 1960s designed car parks. But it is a comfortable place to be with a long, if slightly shallow boot.

Space is compromised by the battery, but is adequate for the style of car at 454 litres.

Ride and handling are good, but it really scores when cruising on the motorway or uncluttered long country roads. It is hugely refined, with the advanced suspension soaking up bumps and potholes, occupants are cosseted in comfort, with the hybrid combo just a whisper in the back ground. 

The Lexus is up against top premium opposition, but it is a luxurious alternative which is supremely refined and cheap to run.

Oh, and it does look pretty sensational.

Factfile

Lexus ES 300h F-Sport

Price: £38,150

Mechanical: 215bhp, 2,487cc, 4cyl petrol engine/battery hybrid driving front wheels wheels via automatic gearbox

Max speed: 112mph

0-62mph: 8.9 seconds

Combined mpg: 52.9

Insurance group: 34

CO2 emissions: 106g/km

Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles

City cars, Fiat, Manufacturer, Motor reviews, Vehicle type

Fun and funky Fiat

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Fiat 500 C

By Bill McCarthy

FIAT’S funky 500 is one of those cars that came from left field to become a stunning success.

Much like the tiny original from the late 1950s through to the mid-70s it has appeal in spades, so much so, that it now comes in sporty, longer body and Abarth versions.

But unlike the famous Italian Job film, the sequel is actually better than the original. It has the same retro look of its diminutive predecessor, but is very much a city car of the 21st century, particularly this drop top version.

The retro bubble shape on this model includes high tech additions such as LED lighting and smart alloy wheels and body coloured bumpers.

It is cheap to buy, although the cabrio is quite a premium, is very economical, is kind to environment with low CO2 emissions and is cheap to tax and insure.

An excellent funky city car runabout, that can even squeeze two adults into the rear, just about.

The attraction for many is the funkiness can be enhanced and customised without breaking the bank. But perhaps the most fun is getting the roof down.

Not a full drop top, but more a sliding fabric roof that nestles just above the boot, nevertheless it still offers the wind in the air open road motoring much beloved by British motorists.

The fabric roof slides back in stages via a dashboard button so can act as a sunroof or fold it all the way back to open fully to the elements. It’s great fun.

It is also pretty well equipped, certainly this version, and you can still customise it all you want with various colour combinations and optional extras

The interior is less soft touch plastic finish, more painted dash and cheaper, but still sturdy trim. It does look good with pinstripe fabric seats with leather inserts and circular head restraints, while steering wheel, column and retro stalk controls, plus binnacle surround are in a contrasting white colour.

The dashboard features a five inch touchscreen with this model featuring optional sat nav and Apple Carplay and Android phone connectivity, along with Bluetooth and DAB radio, while the binnacle is dominated by a single large dial.

Electric windows are standard as is air con, central locking and power steering. 

It feels surprisingly spacious with the roof down, not so much when in place, but there is no doubt the rear two seats would only accommodate adults in a any comfort for a short distance. More suited to children really.

Boot space is, well, limited to say the least at 186 litres. It looks more like a drawer and opens down because of the fabric top sitting on top. However there is access to the rear once the two passenger seats are folded to give a moderate amount of space.

But that’s not what this car is about. You can get your overnight bag or a couple of bags of shopping, which is mostly adequate.

On the road, the 1.2 litre petrol engine is lively enough from a standing start, but then has be worked pretty hard for any kind of decent acceleration. It takes around 13 seconds to hit the 60mph mark.

Mated to a smooth five-speed gearbox, plenty of shifting up and down is needed, particularly around town. It is economical however with economy of a claimed 60.1mpg, near sub-50 in the real world,  and emissions of 110g/km.

Handling is pretty good with the wheel in each corner layout giving plenty of stability and grip in corners. For parking the familiar city button allows the steering to be lightened for those tricky manoeuvres.

Safety kit is comprehensive  with seven airbags, driver and passenger airbags, side airbags, window airbags and driver’s knee airbag,stability control and ABS and parking sensors.

Fun, funky, economical and safe. The tried and tested recipe is still a success.

Factfile

Fiat 500C 1.2 Lounge

Price: £15,890

Mechanical: 69bhp, 1,249cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via five-speed manual gearbox

Max speed: 106 mph

0-62mph: 12.9 seconds

Combined mpg: 60.1

Insurance group: 11

CO2 emissions: 110g/km

Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 milesKeywords: