Category Archives: Vehicle type

Executive saloon, Volvo

Volvo on a charge

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Volvo S90

By Bill McCarthy

Volvo has been a trendsetter in many ways over the years, notably with innovative safety features, and now with electrification of the Swedish firm’s vehicles.

Thing is about Sweden, you never know when you might run not a moose on those empty roads, so the firm built in a warning system to detect extra large animals, like a wandering moose, along with a raft or other safety features. Add to this the Swedish firm’s proven all wheel drive capability, such a boon on those snowy and icy Nordic roads, and you have quite a package.

You won’t see many on most British roads, but you will see a growing number of electric powered vehicles, whether full hybrid, plug-in hybrid of full electric, so the firm has reacted to this be stating that by 2025, it wants half of its global sales volume to consist of fully electric cars, with the rest hybrids.

This big saloon is a plug-in hybrid that offers excellent fuel economy and low CO2 emissions, to make it an extremely attractive company car with lower benefit in kind payments. It is also luxurious, almost decadent, with just about every creature comfort catered for, and a few other bits and pieces as well.

It is a million miles from the tank-like Volvos of yesteryear, looking svelte and sleek. It also adds cutting-edge technologies, ranging from safety to cloud-based apps and services. In addition passengers are cossets in top end comfort, with ride and comfort, matched by few.

It has just two trim levels, R-Design and Inscription driven here, both feature the T8 twin engine technology, with petrol only and diesel abandoned.

 The two litre petrol engine is mated with an 86hp electric motor to deliver a total of 399hp.

That is a lot of power on tap and, mated with a slick eight-speed auto box, the big car delivers blistering pace, racing to 60mph in a shade under five seconds. Very impressive if you take into account the excellent economy on offer. It also has a claimed electric power only range of around 37 miles, a figure I struggled to attain, with nearer 30 miles achieved, even driving carefully. It has a theoretical range of 134 miles, which in the real world equates to nearer 60mpg. Still impressive in such a vehicle.

Having said that, a daily commute on electric only, does give mind-blowing figures, with the plug-in charge up taking around six hours. What you gain in fuel economy, you lose a little on electricity costs, but the savings are clear to see.

Driving in hybrid mode, the electric range does drain fairly quickly so switch to ‘B’ mode on the gear selector which allows the battery to regain power under braking, while slowing the vehicle by just taking your foot off the accelerator.

It has a real road presence, featuring the now-familiar Thor’s hammer style headlights, LED running lights, folding door mirrors, power boot lid, piano black front grille with chrome surrounds and twin exhaust tailpipes, and sitting in smart alloy wheels.

The interior is dominated by nine-inch, tablet style touch screen and a 12.3 inch TFT driver information display.

The touchscreen hosts the major functions, like Volvo’s Sensus infotainment system, satellite navigation, various apps, a sophisticated voice-control system, top end sound system with 10 speakers and connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

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  • Exterior Large Animal Detection Volvo S90

You can even turn the car into a WiFi hotspot thanks to the standard data SIM card and it features in-car entertainment applications such as Spotify, Pandora, Baidu or TuneIn and Volvo On Call.

Otherwise quality is exceptional with soft touch materials throughout, powered and heated leather seats which are firm and supportive and a large glass areas. Features include dual zone climate control, front and rear parking sensors, cruise control, electric windows and door mirrors sports mat and pedals.

Also standard are ambient lighting, rear footwell and side step illumination, heated sports multi-function steering wheel, heated, powered front seats with lumbar support, split folding rear seats, power folding rear backrests, and ski hatch.

It is an engaging drive, Even at high speed, engine and road noise is muted, with just a hint of wind noise from the large door mirrors. Excellent torque means motorway driving is a comfortable affair, the key acceleration range of 50-70mph achieved in what seems the blink of an eye.

In practical terms, there is much on offer including a huge, long boot with 500 litres capacity and a power-operated tailgate, which can also be operated with a ‘kick’ function to trigger a sensor beneath the boot.

All models  are packed with safety equipment, which goes without saying on a Volvo, with full complement of airbags and a raft of driver, passenger and pedestrian safety technology. Neat options include automatic parking and  360 degree camera, where the surround view from the four wide-angle lens cameras appears on the centre touch screen at even at very low speeds.

 It also includes City Safety, part of the Intellisafe package, which includes pedestrian, cyclist and the now famed Nordic ‘moose’ detection.

Factfile

Volvo S90 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid T8 AWD Inscription

Price: £56,155

Mechanical: Combined 390bhp, two litre petrol engine and electric motor  driving all wheels via 8-speed automatic gearbox

Insurance: 42E

Max speed: 112 mph

0-62mph: 4.8 seconds

Combined mpg: 104-148mpg

CO2 emissions: 44-61g/km

Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles

Citroen, Manufacturer, Supermini

Fun, funky and a real supermini alternative

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Citroen C3 Flair

By Bill McCarthy

Standing out in the ferociously competitive supermini sector takes some doing, inhabited as it is by some fine cars. But Citroen has never had much trouble in that area and the latest C3 continues that in spades with a funky new makeover.

Quirky, could often be code for different but rubbish, but not in the case of the French firm, which always prided itself on offering an attractive alternative to the mainstream.

This latest model retains that funky individuality for those looking for an alternative with a raft of styling changes, 97 colour customisation combinations available and 11 driver assistance systems.

There are seven body colours available which can be mated with a choice of four bi-tone roof colours and a choice of colour for the  three roof decals.

While still a small hatchback, it has the look of a mini SUV, with redesigned LED light clusters and the rubber airbumps, first seen on its sibling the Cactus, large alloys and repurposed signature Citroen chevrons. It has a real road presence for such a small car.

As well as a styling accessory, the airbumps have a functional purpose, protecting bodywork from the likes of runaway supermarket trolleys.

The styling continues inside with colourful touches such as door pulls, contrasting door bins, and a generally funky layout. It features newly-designed and comfortable ‘Advance Comfort’  padded seats which give the impression of sitting in an armchair.

A central seven-inch touchscreen controls navigation, infotainment and smartphone connectivity, whether Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, while USB and Aux connectivity is also provided. General switchgear is logical and less fiddly than on previous models, while binnacle features an instrument cluster with white LCD and analogue gauges and satin chrome surround. Many functions are also housed within the multi adjustable, multi-function steering wheel.

The dash is finished in a faux wood veneer and fittings are of a solid plastic rather than soft touch materials, but gives a neat individual touch.

 On the road, the three cylinder 1.2 litre engine has plenty of character and grunt. The raspy three pot responds well to the touch of the accelerator, whether dashing around city streets for longer runs on the motorway. Mated to a slick six speed gearbox, the 1199cc power unit propels it 60 mph in 10.5 seconds with impressive economy approaching 50mpg, when driven most economically.

Despite the throaty rasp of the three cylinders, it feels pretty refined with suspension on the soft side for passenger comfort and noise generally suppressed, although there is some intrusion from the large 17-inch wheels. So the handling is not quite as sharp as some competitors, although barely noticeable to your average driver. Light steering however does mean the car is very manoeuvrable, particularly when parking.

In practical terms, space for front occupants is good with decent head and legroom, but it is tight in the back for adults for any lengthy journey. Boot space is also generous with 300 litres available, expanding to 992 litres with the rear seats folded.

This range-topping model, at more than £20k, offers plenty for your money with 17-inch alloy wheels, dark tinted rear windows, Citroën Connect Navigation system, power folding door mirrors, auto air conditioning, automatic rain-sensing front windscreen wipers, automatic lights, and Welcome and ‘Follow-me-home’ headlights and reversing camera and sensors, auto wipers, automatic lights, and Welcome and ‘Follow-me-home’ headlights

It has comprehensive safety features including, assisted braking, driver attention alert, collision alert, auto headlights, six airbags, lane departure warning, speed sign recognition and coffee break alert.

It’s quite a package for the money and for those looking for something a bit different . . . 

Factfile

Citroën C3 Flair Plus PureTech 110 

Price: £20,010 

Mechanical: 110hp, 1199cc, 3-cylinder, turbocharged petrol-driven engine with six-speed manual transmission

Max speed: 121mph

0-62mph: 10.5 seconds

Combined MPG: 42.4-50.1mpg 36.7

Insurance group: 16

C02 emissions: 123g/km

Bik rating: 29%

Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles