Month: July 2018

Legendary bike maker Harley Davidson has unveiled plans to launch an electric motorcycle next year along with a host of radical new models.

Best known for its Easy Rider-style cruiser bikes, made famous by motorcycle gangs like the Hell’s Angels, Harley Davidson says it will introduce an adventure bike, sports naked models and a range of urban mobility e-bikes.

Exciting new roads lie ahead for #HarleyDavidson. Get ready. We’re blowing the doors wide open. Click to learn more.#FindYourFreedom

— Harley-Davidson (@harleydavidson) July 30, 2018

In what Motorcycle News has described as “the biggest shake-up in recent memory” for the brand, Harley Davidson’s new range will change the face of the manufacturer.

The first electric bike, dubbed the “Livewire concept”, will arrive in 2019 and is a performance-focused electric bike that is likely to come with a premium price tag. Harley has not revealed range or power figures yet.

Following soon after the Livewire model will be two middleweight electric bikes – smaller, lighter and lower powered commuter-style machines, that will arrive during 2021 and 2022. No prices have been revealed for these either.

Michelle Kumbier, COO at Harley-Davidson, said: “We’re going big into electric with a family of products. They’re going to be easy to ride, ‘twist and go’ and be less intimidating for new customers.”

The electric bike announcement comes amid news that Harley Davidson will launch a further 16-strong range of new bikes that will move the brand even further away from its core Hell’s Angel look, opening it up to even more buyers.

One of those new bikes is the Pan America – an adventure-style touring bike set to rival BMW’s popular GS.

It will come with a new 1250cc v-twin engine, traction control and ride-by-wire technology. No prices have been revealed, but it will be in dealers by 2020.

Mind-blown… Harley have unveiled a radical new range of bikes! Read more here: https://t.co/FKMqnsBr3z pic.twitter.com/dzn5bBXkGT

— Motor Cycle News (@MCNnews) July 30, 2018

Writing online, Motorcycle News journalist Jordan Gibbons said: “Aimed squarely at attracting a new, younger audience both to the brand and to motorcycling in general, this new range of middleweights and electric bikes will take the company into totally new territories.

“At the same time, Harley Davidson is also modernising and improving their core Tourer and Cruiser offering with brand new electronics and improved connectivity, changing the way their dealers operate and even exploring direct-to-consumer online sales. Strap in folks, this is going to be a wild ride.”

What is it?

The family hatchback sector is under siege from SUVs, but that doesn’t mean it’s dead – far from it. There’s enough life in this market sector yet that Kia has gone in all guns blazing with this – the all-new Ceed.

Though it may come from a Korean brand, the Ceed is designed, engineered, built and sold entirely in Europe, so in theory it should be perfect for European tastes. But there’s no denying the strong competition – the best-selling Ford Focus and VW Golf are both seriously good cars, with considerably more heritage than the 2006-born Ceed.

What’s new?

Been driving the new F̶o̶r̶d̶ ̶F̶o̶c̶u̶s̶ Kia Ceed. It's a goodun. pic.twitter.com/JZp2Sghw6c

— Tom Wiltshire (@mctreckmeister) June 19, 2018

Let’s get the trifles out of the way first – the new car loses the apostrophe of the old Cee’d and simply becomes Ceed: Community Europe, European Design. Easy.

Of more note is the new bodywork, which is wider and lower than the outgoing car, though identical in length and wheelbase. The styling’s sharper, there’s a new LED daytime running light signature front and rear, and the cabin is now oriented towards the driver.

A 48V mild hybrid system is coming later, but for now the only new tech to note is a host of safety improvements including level 2 autonomous ‘Lane Follow Assist’, which can steer, brake and accelerate the car in traffic.

What’s under the bonnet?

There is a choice of three petrol engines and a lone diesel. Kicking off the range is a naturally aspirated 1.4-litre petrol, which is likely to be best suited to town use given its measly 99bhp output.

We’d opt for the middle ground, a 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder which puts out 118bhp. Though acceleration isn’t exactly scintillating, it has enough power to overtake in relative comfort, and cruises effortlessly thanks to long gearing. Put your foot down and the muffled thrum it emits is quite pleasant, too. A turbocharged 1.4-litre unit sits above, with 138bhp.

High-mileage drivers and penny pinchers will enjoy the diesel, which is smooth, quiet, and torquey. All of the engine options come with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, with a slick seven-speed dual-clutch automatic available with the most powerful petrol and diesel engines.

What’s it like to drive?

Kia has invested heavily in making the Ceed drive as well as its rivals – and with a talented team including ex-BMW M division engineer Albert Biermann, the transformation is remarkable.

The Ceed feels confident in the corners, staying flat and gripping well. The nicely-weighted steering rack is intuitive, making smooth cornering easy, and it pairs well with the willing engines and slick manual gearchange.

The caveat is a slightly firmer ride – a conscious decision on the part of Kia, as it chased ‘firm, but never uncomfortable’. The lessons the brand has learned with the performance-oriented Stinger really show – one can even call the Ceed ‘fun’. It’s not quite as engaging as a Focus, but beats out rivals such as the Peugeot 308.

How does it look?

At first glance, the Ceed is a little disappointing – imagine averaging out the differences between a Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra. Step closer and smart details do start to make themselves known, however.

Bold LED daytime running light signatures feature front and rear, and the nose has the latest incarnation of Kia’s ‘Tiger Nose’ grille.

Gone is the old car’s rising beltline – this Ceed has a strong horizontal focus across the sides and rear, making it look longer and lower.

There are six new exterior colours on offer as well as some really striking alloy wheels available on higher trim levels.

What’s it like inside?

Inside is classic contemporary Kia – which brings with it some pros and cons. On the plus side, everything inside is fantastically intuitive, with controls exactly where you’d expect them and an infotainment system that, despite not being the newest or shiniest, remains one of the easiest to use in the business.

However, there’s no denying that it’s all a bit black and basic in here. Though materials are good quality, they’re not particularly pleasant to look at, and the end result looks slightly cheap.
It is very spacious, though. Kia claims the best rear leg and shoulder room in the class while the boot, at 395 litres, is not only one of the largest in capacity, it also boasts the widest opening and lowest load sill. The estate model is bigger yet, with a boot that dwarfs many cars from the class above.

What’s the spec like?

High equipment levels are a major pull factor for first-time Kia buyers, and the brand hasn’t disappointed with the new Ceed. Eschewing entry-level ‘1’ trim in the UK, the range kicks off with ‘2’ trim, which features a 7-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, automatic lights, keyless entry and a raft of standard safety equipment including autonomous emergency braking, high-beam assist, lane departure warning and blindspot monitoring.

Spec up and you’ll gain Lane Following Assist, which can drive the car itself in traffic as well as a great JBL-tuned stereo.

Pricing isn’t quite such a bargain as the previous car, but it’s still on the low end considering the level of standard equipment. For the Kia’s £18,295 starting price you’d barely get four wheels and an engine on a Volkswagen Golf.

Verdict

The Kia Ceed has come of age, and in the process become a seriously good C-segment hatch. It’s good to drive, seriously roomy and, with that class-leading seven-year warranty – a good option for private buyers who keep their cars for a long time.

A Volkswagen Golf still feels the superior product in terms of quality, while the Ford Focus is better to drive. But the Kia doesn’t disgrace itself and feels like a product you’d recommend on more than just its warranty and reliability.

Facts at a glance

Model as tested: Kia Ceed 1.0 T-GDi 2
Price: from £18,295
Engine: 1.0-litre 3cyl petrol
Power (bhp): 118
Torque (Nm): 172
Max speed (mph): 118
0-60mph: 10.9 seconds
MPG: 50.4
Emissions (g/km): 128

What is it?

Having already firmly established the Sportage as a mainstream choice of an affordable yet well-equipped full-size SUV, Kia is looking to refresh the model with a new facelifted version.

Although it’s almost identical to the previous generation model on the surface – with the aesthetics merely having been ever so slightly tidied up, rather than completely overhauled – there are a number of new technological features on the car.

There’s also an updated range of engines available, with the diesel powertrain having been replaced and a mild hybrid option being introduced.

What’s new?

Looking at the facelifted Sportage for the first time, you won’t notice any staggering changes. However, inspect closely and you’ll see that the design has been somewhat streamlined in comparison to before, with new bumpers at the front and rear, as well as updated headlight signatures.

The Sportage’s infotainment system has received an upgrade, with a sleeker, frameless eight-inch touchscreen now available as an optional extra. Semi-autonomous features such as Lane Keep Assist are now included as standard from a lower grade than before.

There’s a new choice of engines as well, with the diesel option being downsized to a 1.6-litre U3 unit and a mild hybrid powertrain being offered as well.

What’s under the bonnet?

We tested two different engines in the Sportage – the 1.6-litre four-cylinder U3 diesel and the 2.0-litre four-cylinder 48V mild hybrid powertrain.

The most obvious choice of powertrain for buyers will likely be the new 134bhp 1.6-litre diesel engine, which is both economical and punchy – offering 58.9mpg and providing a plentiful 320Nm of torque. Acceleration is perfectly adequate, if a bit sporadic, with the car gaining speed at a fluctuating rate as it climbs through the gears, reaching 60mph in 11.4 seconds and carrying on to a top speed of 112mph.

That said, we feel that the 2.0-litre mild hybrid is the superior powertrain. The electric element means there’s a great thump of instant torque – a whopping 400Nm of it – when you hit the accelerator, with the engine feeling much more potent than its conventional counterpart, thanks to an output of 182bhp and a top speed of 125mph.

In addition, both these engines’ performances are noticeably improved by the Sportage’s Sport Mode feature, with the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission we tested changing gear at higher revs.

The Sportage is also available with a 1.6-litre GDi or T-GDi petrol unit, with up to 174bhp and 265Nm of torque.

What’s it like to drive?

The first thing to note when it comes to the Sportage’s driving dynamics is that it does have the quite light steering that is commonplace among cars from other cars in the Kia range. However, this is not as much of a problem in this case as it is with other models for two main reasons.

Really impressed by the new Kia Sportage, especially the hybrid version which I think gives the car a great new dimension. pic.twitter.com/zGo3HkQwM9

— Tristan Shale-Hester (@tristan_shale) July 25, 2018

Firstly, whereas you might wish to have a lot of feel in a small hatchback so you can throw it into a corner and feel like a teenager again, it’s sensible for a big car such as the Sportage to be easy to manoeuvre.

Secondly, that Sport Mode setting we mentioned earlier does a fantastic job of weighting up the steering, creating a much more heftier feel that gives you a lot more confidence in the corners. To be able to switch between the two extremes with the press of a button is very useful.

The eight-speed dual-clutch transmission is another good point, changing gears with a focus on performance or economy – depending on whether or not Sport Mode is engaged – and also allowing the option for the driver manually select a gear using a pair of flappy paddles.

How does it look?

The Sportage’s facelift hasn’t changed the car’s aesthetics in any dramatic way at all. However, the new bumpers at the front and rear, and the updated headlight signatures do offer a slightly smarter look that keen Kia enthusiasts may notice. This is representative of the gradual improvement we’ve seen in how models from the South Korean brand both look and drive over relatively recent years.

However, the Sportage still isn’t an exciting or trendy looking car. It stands up to some rivals, such as the Nissan Qashqai and Skoda Karoq, but can’t match the stylishness of examples such as the Mini Countryman.

What’s it like inside?

In spite of a few scratchy plastics lower down in the cabin – which is acceptable in any non-premium model – the Sportage’s interior is generally a nice place to be. There’s an abundance of leather for a car of this value and, despite being kitted out with a wide range of gadgets, the buttons have been laid out in a logical way as opposed to looking like they’ve been applied completely random.

The optional eight-inch frameless touchscreen is also a highlight, blending seamlessly into the dashboard. As for the infotainment system itself, there’s a pleasing symmetry between its digital layout and colour scheme and that of the Sportage’s other dials and instruments.

What’s the spec like?

The starting price for the Sportage is £20,305, which will buy you a grade 1 model with 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, DAB radio and Bluetooth, among other standard features.

Grade 2 specification starts at £22,405 and adds 17-inch alloy wheels, satellite navigation and some basic semi-autonomous driver aids, such as Lane-Keep Assist and High-Beam Assist.

Costing from £25,510, the GT-Line model features sporty styling, front parking sensors and a smart entry system.

The Sportage Edition 25 starts at £25,655 and comes with a JBL premium sound system, an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with sat-nav and premium paint at no added cost.

The grade 4 car costs from £27,260, which also gets you the eight-inch screen and JBL sound system, as well as a panoramic sunroof, Forward Collision Avoidance Assist and Blind Spot Collision Warning.

Finally, the top-spec GT-Line S model costs from £31,245 and includes adaptive cruise control, electrically adjustable seats, an electronic parking brake, a 360-degree around view monitor, a powered tailgate and a wireless phone charger.

Verdict

It’s hard to find anything really wrong with the Sportage. It may not be the most interesting or stylish car in the world, but it’s a winner in terms of drivability, practicality and affordability. Add into the equation the new dimension brought to the model by the introduction of the mild hybrid powertrain and it becomes clear that this really is a vehicle that could suit pretty much anyone’s needs.

Facts at a glance
Model: Kia Sportage
Price: £34,545
Engine: 2.0-litre 48V diesel mild hybrid
Power (bhp): 182
Torque (Nm): 400
Max speed (mph): 125
0-60mph: 9.2 seconds
MPG: TBA
Emissions (g/km): TBA

France is no doubt one of, if not the, most popular destinations for Brits looking to flee abroad for the summer. With just the Channel separating us, access is easy thanks to frequent and inexpensive ferries.

For many, driving through our European neighbours is the only way to do it — and with scenic views, wonderful roads and easy passage to other areas of the continent, who can blame them?

If you’re looking to hop in your car and head over, you’re going to need to prepare yourself though. Here are our tips for driving in France this summer.

Prepare your car

Before leaving for France, it’s vital to prepare your car for the trip. French road law requires equipment that isn’t mandatory in the UK — namely a warning triangle, high visibility vest, first aid kit, a foil blanket, spare bulbs and a breathalyser that has both not been used and carries NF approval markings.

You will also need to adjust your headlamp beams so as to not dazzle other drivers, as well as placing a GB sticker on or next to your registration plate (this is also required when driving in any other European country). It’s easy to pick up these supplies at many petrol stations, your local supermarket, car parts shop or even on the ferry.

Make sure to carry identification documents for yourself, along with proof of insurance and the V5C for your vehicle. It’s always a good idea to do essential checks on your car ahead of a long trip too.

Check insurance and breakdown coverage

Alongside preparing your car for the journey, checking your insurance and breakdown coverage may be the most important part of a drive across France.

Don’t just assume you have the correct policy to take your car abroad. While many insurers offer European driving on standard policies, it’s better to be safe than sorry — especially as some offer reduced coverage when on the continent, as well as imposing limits on the number of days you can drive outside of the UK.

Breakdown cover is a different ball game when abroad, particularly so in France. On most roads, you can use UK companies for coverage — although you’ll likely need to take out a separate policy. You’ll be provided with a UK-based number to contact, guaranteeing you’ll be in contact with an English-speaking advisor.

Motorways differ slightly, as they are privately managed across the Channel. Should you break down on a motorway, you’ll need to use an emergency orange telephone to request towing assistance to an area where your regular provider can offer assistance. You may be charged extra for recovery.

Road laws and conduct

As a general rule, most road laws and the highway code in France are similar to those in the UK — albeit on the right side of the road.

Stick to right lanes on roads with more than one and overtake on the left. It’s a common misconception that all roundabouts in France give priority to the right, but that’s not often the case anymore. However, some do still use this system – even if you’re already driving around it!

If you’re heading to large cities, you may need an emissions classification sticker — known in France as a Crit’Air vignette. These stickers denote the level of emissions your car produces, which may exempt it from certain areas.

While UK driving licences are valid in France, you must be older than 18 to operate a vehicle in the country.

Toll roads, toll roads, toll roads…

Unlike the UK, where the cost of using major roads is covered by paying your road tax, French autoroutes are controlled by private firms and as a result, commonly require a toll cost to use.

Prices vary and it’s worth carrying extra change, although Visa and Mastercard payments are widely accepted.

Drink-driving and drug laws

Despite the country’s reputation for fine wine — be wary of drink-driving regulations in the country.

The legal limit of alcohol in the blood is 0.5 grams per litre, although, for drivers with less than three years of experience, this is reduced to 0.2. Driving under the influence of drugs is strictly prohibited.

As a general rule, avoid drinking if you’re planning to drive and vice-versa.

Whether you’re heading to France on the ferry, doing a fly-drive to Frankfurt or simply milling round Milan in a Mini, there are several laws, regulations and rules for driving in Continental Europe that you’ll need to familiarise yourself with before getting behind the wheel.

Though most European countries are perfectly easy to make your way around, if you don’t want to get on the wrong side of the gendarmes you’d better toe the line – exactly as you’d follow the rules back home.

Of course, you should always research the specific country you’re driving in before you travel – but these are some general rules that apply to most of Europe.

Drive on the right

We’ll kick off with the really obvious one – in all of continental Europe, except the UK, traffic drives on the right-hand side of the road. Don’t forget it or you’ll be in for a nasty shock. Roundabouts and other junctions all work in reverse, too.

Preparation

Most European countries require several items to be carried with you in the car at all times. The requirements do vary from country to country, but it’s a good idea to put together a general European ‘car kit’ with the essentials in. This should include:

– A hazard warning triangle

– High-visibility jackets for every occupant of the car

– A GB sticker to be displayed on your tailgate

– Certificate of motor insurance and ownership documents if it’s your car

– A first aid kit

– Headlamp adjustment stickers – for cars with non-adjustable headlights, to be fitted all the time you’re driving on the right-hand side of the road

– Disposable breathalysers

Headlights

If you’re on a motorcycle, you should ride with your dipped headlights on at all times when moving. For cars, the requirements differ from country to country – but you can be given a hefty fine for not using your headlights when you should, so err on the side of caution.

Speed limits

Remember, speed limits on the continent are different to those in the UK and will be given in kilometres per hour or km/h. Most cars will have km/h speeds printed on their speedometers, or for modern cars with digital speedometers you should be able to switch to km/h.

If this isn’t clear to you, consider sticking a small cheat sheet to your instrument panel with the speed limits and their equivalents in mph – making sure not to cover anything important as you do.

In some countries, speed limits vary depending on the weather. In France, for example, the standard speed limits of 90km/h, 110km/h and 130km/h for rural roads, expressways and motorways respectively are lowered in inclement weather to 80, 100 and 110km/h.

One final point, radar detectors – of the sort used to pinpoint speed cameras and officers performance speed checks – are banned in almost all of continental Europe. The same applies to sat-navs or smartphones with a built-in speed camera alert, and this will need to be disabled.

Tyres

Of course, it goes without saying that you should check your tyres regularly for tread depth and inflation, but if you’re heading to some of Europe’s more northern excesses you’ll need to make sure you’re running on the correct type of tyre too.

During the winter, many countries mandate winter or at least all-season tyres be fitted – while in really slippy areas, snow chains are recommended too.

Drink-drive limits

Forget that continental drinking culture – at least, if you’re planning on driving. With the exception of Malta, every country in Europe has a lower drink-drive limit than the UK, and stiff penalties if it’s breached.

While England, Wales and Northern Ireland (Scotland has a separate, lower limit) allow a blood alcohol content of 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, most other countries operate on a lower limit of 50mg. Others, such as Lithuania, Poland and Estonia, operate lower limits still, and a few including Hungary, Romania and Slovakia have a totally zero-tolerance policy.

Some people are never satisfied. Most prospective car buyers are okay with knowing that their car will serve its intended purpose of driving on or off-road. Others, however, demand more.

It is those demanding customers that have led to some companies introducing cars that have a second purpose – here are five examples of cars that can multi-task.

Rinspeed sQuba

If you’re bored of the land, there’s a chance you might also be bored of the sea – the surface of it, that is. That’s where this comes in…

This is the sQuba, a Lotus Elise-based project from perennial automotive madmen Rinspeed. Introduced in 2008, the sQuba can do what James Bond’s Lotus Esprit from ‘The Spy Who Loved Me’ never achieved: actual underwater ability.

The concept never became a purchasable reality, likely because the type of customer who would consider investing in a swimming Lotus saw their bank account float down a creek with no paddle upon the looming recession.

Amphicar

As far as amphibious cars go, it’s fair to say that the Amphicar Model 770 is the most iconic example of the breed.

With a surprisingly high production run of nearly 4,000 cars being produced between 1960-1965, your opinion likely depends on whether you see it as quirky 60’s madness or a vehicle that fails as both a boat and a car.

With a 1147cc Triumph four-cylinder engine producing a meagre 38bhp, it wasn’t exactly the last word in dynamic breadth of ability. It also had a maximum speed of 6mph on the water, while construction from rust-prone steel quickly killed most models. The few survivors command impressive prices.

VW Schwimmwagen

The Schwimmwagen was used extensively in military exercises during the Second World War, and was built in droves. 14,000 were built between 1942 and 1944.

In the water, a propeller could be lowered, allowing for forward propulsion once you were door handle deep in the wet stuff. ‘Reversing’ was handled by an oar.

Astonishingly, less than 200 of these Beetle-based, nautical people’s cars remain today.

Terrafugia Transition

The world’s fascination with flying cars is arguably a little worrying. Sure, it sounds like paradise – but some people can barely handle the road. Would you really want them dealing with the power of flight?

The Terrafugia Transition is one of the more explicitly plane-based examples of the flying car – in road-going mode, it looks more like the aerospace equivalent of a fold-up bicycle than a car.

According to Terrafugia, which is owned by Volvo, the first production examples of its flying car will go on sale in 2019.

Gibbs Aquada

The Gibbs Aquada looks rather like a Mazda MX-5, but don’t be fooled, it shares nothing with the Japanese sportscar bar the front headlights.

The Aquada is powered by a mid-rear mounted 2.5-Litre Rover V6 with 175bhp. By all accounts, the car actually a rather impressive achievement, having proven its boating capabilities with a record-setting, sub-2 hour channel crossing in the hands of Sir Richard Branson.

In addition, the motoring press that drove it when it was the new hot thing in 2004 all seemed to agree that it actually did a good job as a sportscar too.

The Renault Megane R.S. is already something of a performance beast, but the French firm has taken it a step further with this more focused version — the Trophy.

So, what makes it special? Let’s start with the sheer numbers. The 1.8-litre turbocharged engine here produces 296bhp and 420Nm of torque — up from 276bhp and 390Nm that the standard car boasts. It can be paired up with either a six-speed manual gearbox or six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and the result of all this power is 0-60mph in 5.5 seconds, with a top speed of 162mph.

The Trophy also utilises the Megane’s Cup chassis option, which offers stiffer suspension and a Torsen limited-slip differential and brings enhanced front brakes housed in 19-inch alloy wheels that reduce unsprung weight by 8kg.

Inside the car, Recaro bucket seats now feature on the options list, which are trimmed in Alcantara and sit 20mm lower than previously.

New Mégane R.S. Trophy has new ceramic bearing for the turbo. Spinning at close to
200,000rpm reducing friction by a 1/3, reducing spool time and giving faster responses. 0-62mph is achieved in 5.7s https://t.co/1MXsxzJWpr#MeganeRSTrophy #RSspirit #RenaultSport pic.twitter.com/KvndWTVlh1

— Groupe Renault UK PR (@RenaultUKPR) July 19, 2018

There’s little in the way of external visual indication that this is a Trophy, aside from stripes added to the F1-inspired front splitter. Although you’ll be able to hear the difference, thanks to an upgraded exhaust system that features a mechanical valve — allowing the car to be set sociably quiet or arrogantly loud.

Fans of Renault’s hot hatches will be familiar with the Trophy moniker, which has been applied to the most potent version of each Renaultsport-fettled Megane since the first was introduced in 2004.

The new Renault Megane R.S. Trophy is set to go on sale in the autumn, with customer deliveries beginning in the last quarter of the year. Pricing has yet to be confirmed but expect to hear more on that shortly.

What is it?

Mazda has been on something of a roll in recent years. The latest MX-5 roadster has proven a success, the introduction of the CX-3 and CX-5 have given the brand leverage in the SUV market and both the 2 and 3 hatchbacks remain seriously competent options.

Now, in an effort to push on even further, the 6 has seen a refresh in both saloon and ‘Tourer’ (estate) form. This generation of the flagship Mazda has been around since 2012 though, so is a facelift enough to keep up with rivals?

What’s new?

At a first glance, the number of changes to the 6 may not be obvious, but under the skin – and above it for that matter – there have been quite some substantial changes.

One of the most prominent is the introduction of a new-to-the-UK 2.5-litre petrol engine which, perhaps surprisingly given the current push for ultra-low emissions, is naturally aspirated.

A number of visual tweaks have also been made to give it a more aggressive look, while the cabin has also seen a total overhaul to bring it in line with the latest Mazda offerings.

Mazda yet again knocking it out of the park, this time with the refreshed 6. Big fan. #Mazda #Mazda6 #carsofinstagram

A post shared by Ryan Hirons (@rth42) on Jul 18, 2018 at 10:33am PDT

What’s under the bonnet?

We got behind the wheel of a Tourer featuring the new 2.5-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine, which is exclusively paired up to a six-speed automatic gearbox. The unit produces 191bhp and 258Nm of torque, capable of taking the car from 0-60mph in 7.9 seconds. As for efficiency, Mazda claims 42.2mpg on the combined cycle with CO2 emissions of 153g/km.

It’s an impressive unit that’s suited well to both a cruise — aided by cylinder deactivation tech, which shuts down two of the engine’s cylinders under light load — and some spirited driving, offering plentiful power and a crisp note to boot. Sadly, it’s a little short-changed by the somewhat sluggish automatic gearbox that often feels indecisive about what gear it wants to be in.

What’s it like to drive?

Mazda has always prided itself on delivering machinery that’s fun to drive no matter the size or purpose, and the latest 6 is no exception. Although the suspension has been re-tuned to offer greater comfort, it hasn’t affected the behind-the-wheel experience — resulting in an estate that can deliver a smile on your face that you may struggle to find outside a hot hatch.

It’s just as good on a long drive, too. Road noise is limited, and the efforts to improve refinement have worked — offering a relaxing ride on even the bumpiest of UK motorways.

You’ll even find it pretty capable as a town machine, even with limited rear visibility – though that’s offset with the inclusion of a 360-view camera.

How does it look?

You’d be forgiven for thinking little has changed on the new 6 at a first glance, but there have been plenty of subtle changes to the way it looks.

A revised grille heads up the fresh aesthetic and is joined by new headlights which incorporate the fog lights. At the back of the car, there are more painted surfaces than before and the exhausts have been pushed further out.

We think it’s a seriously handsome looking thing, especially in the new Soul Red Crystal Metallic paint — which Mazda says is 20 per cent brighter and 50 per cent deeper in colour than the previous Soul Red.

What’s it like inside?

The cabin of the Mazda6 has seen a total overhaul to bring it up to speed with the rest of the range. Most obvious is the dashboard-mounted eight-inch display, replacing the previous smaller unit found in the centre of the dashboard.

Updated materials give it a more premium feel overall and do well to bring the 6 right back up to date with rivals – despite its advancing years.

As for boot space, that’s unchanged whether you opt for saloon or estate – there is 483-litres and 522-litres respectively with all rear seats in place.

What’s the spec like?

Our test car was decked out in top-of-the-range GT Sport Nav+ grade, meaning a ton of equipment comes in the package. Luxury highlights include Ultrasuede and Japanese Sen wood trim, a full LED instrument cluster, ventilated and heated front seats and a sunroof.

Bags of safety tech also comes as standard across the whole range now, including radar-guided cruise control, blind spot assistance and autonomous emergency braking.

It’s easy to call £32,695 a lot on paper, but considering the levels of equipment, we’d call it good value.

Verdict

A welcome refresh to the Mazda6 ensures it can still keep up with key rivals like the Volkswagen Passat, Vauxhall Insignia and Ford Mondeo despite now growing a bit in age. It still offers the most dynamic driving experience of the bunch, while now also bringing tons of tech.

We’d be inclined to opt for a smaller petrol engine if only for a manual gearbox, but the 2.5-litre unit feels fruity and boasts good economy too.

The Mazda6 may just be one of the most well-valued packages on today’s market.

Facts at a glance

Model: Mazda6 Tourer GT Sport Nav+
Price: £32,695
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol
Power (bhp): 191
Torque (Nm): 258
Max speed (mph): 139
0-60mph: 7.9 seconds
MPG: 42.2
Emissions (g/km): 153

It can sometimes be hard to imagine car manufacturers as being fun. With volume sellers, brand identity and corporate agenda at the forefront — picturing a soul within may be difficult to picture.

Fortunately though, at the heart of every company is inevitably some wacky ideas and every now and then, a few of them see the light of day. We’ve picked out some of the craziest one-offs car manufacturers have ever produced.

Aston Martin V8 Cygnet

The Aston Martin Cygnet was already something of a surprise when it arrived on the scene in 2011, but this Skunkworks creation has only taken it a step further.

Created by the British firm’s ‘Q’ special operations division, this Toyota IQ-based car hides — albeit not very discreetly — a 4.7-litre V8 engine lifted from the Vantage S sports car. That’s 430bhp in a city car. Better yet, this was requested by a customer — and it’s even road legal.

Nissan Juke-R

It’s hard to imagine that one day, somebody went into a Nissan board meeting and pitched the idea of planting a Juke body on top of a GT-R powertrain and walked away with a green light, but that actually happened.

Thus, in 2012, the Juke-R was born. Underneath the goofy-looking Juke sat the beating twin-turbo V6 heart of the R35, creating one of the wildest and most-loved side projects ever created. Better still, Nissan decided to do it all again in 2015 with the Juke-R 2.0 — which boasted even more power at almost 600bhp.

Volkswagen Golf GTI W12-650

It was 2007 when Volkswagen produced the undeniably mad Golf GTI W12-650. As you may have guessed from the name, the car is powered by a W12 that produces just shy of 650bhp with the aid of twin-turbocharging.

The Bentley-sourced engine is mounted behind the driver, where the rear passengers would usually sit. With a widebody kit that can only be described as giving the car an almost spaceship-like look, the W12-650 is not like any other Golf seen before.

Renault Espace F1

Though based on a Renault Espace, this crazy MPV has more in common with a Formula One car. The Espace F1 features a lightweight carbon F1-style chassis housed by a carbon fibre-reinforced Espace body — oh, and not to mention the mid-mounted 789bhp 3.5-litre V10 found in the 1993 Williams-Renault F1 car.

Even though it was made in 1995, it is still super quick even by today’s standards — 0-60mph takes a mere 2.8 seconds and it’ll top out at 194mph. The only Espace F1 now resides in the Matra Museum in France.

Renault Twizy F1

More recently in 2013, Renault took the tiny electrically powered Twizy and gave it the F1 treatment. Though not as powerful as the almost 800bhp Espace F1 that came before it (the Twizy F1 only has 97bhp from its electric motors), it’s still a sight to see. From the front splitter to the rear wing, you can tell the little F1 means business.

It may not be the fastest car in the world, but it has a good power to weight ratio and 97bhp out of a Twizy that usually has just 17bhp is a massive step up. Looks like good fun too.

Honda Civic Type-R Pickup Truck

Want a hot hatch but need something with plenty of cargo space? The Civic Type-R Pickup Truck might just be the machine for you.

Well, it would be if Honda put it into production, which seems unlikely, but it’s impressive nonetheless. Based on a pre-production version of the latest generation of the hot hatch, Honda UK replaced the hatch and rear seats with an aluminium flatbed — but did carry over the iconic rear wing. The firm even reckons it could be the fastest pickup truck around the Nürburgring if they decide to set a lap there…

Toyota Aygo Crazy

If you put together a Toyota Aygo and a Toyota MR2, what do you get? Well, this — the Toyota Aygo Crazy. Arguably the most track-focused Aygo in existence, the car is a rear-wheel drive 1.8-litre mid-engined monster that has all the bells and whistles of a race car. This includes a full roll cage and a lack of power steering, traction control and ABS. It may only have 197bhp, but the Crazy will get from 0-60mph in under 6 seconds. This Aygo is no slouch by any means.

by Oliver Young and Ryan Hirons

The Goodwood Festival of Speed is one of the motoring world’s best-loved events and the biggest of its kind in the UK. Held in the grounds of Goodwood House in Sussex, the event for 2018 will run from Thursday, July 12 to Sunday, July 15.

Though the heart of Goodwood is the famous hill climb, it’s grown into a massive showcase of some of the world’s rarest and most beautiful classic cars, as well as an occasion for manufacturers to display their latest and greatest metal to an adoring crowd.

Once again, the driveway of Goodwood House will play host to a vast central sculpture, which this year celebrates the 70th anniversary of Porsche. The Festival of Speed itself celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.

Read on for a preview of some of the new metal we’re expecting to see at the 2018 Goodwood Festival of Speed…

Toyota Supra production prototype makes public debut

We, at last, saw a first glimpse of the long-awaited Toyota Supra revival at this year’s Geneva Motor Show in the form of the GR Supra Racing Concept, although a road-going version has so far eluded us. That’s set to change at the Festival of Speed, with Toyota bring along a prototype version of the production sports car to the show — albeit in heavy camouflage.

Jaguar F-Pace SVR

Making its dynamic debut at the show is the incredible Jaguar F-Pace SVR. This SUV packs a 542bhp supercharged V8 engine and will head up the iconic hill climb alongside the 592bhp XE SV Project 8 and Invictus GT4 Racing F-Type SVR.

Bentley Bentayga Pikes Peak

Having just taken the Pikes Peak Hill Climb SUV record off the Range Rover Sport, the Bentayga Pikes Peak will tackle the rather less daunting hill climb at Goodwood. A limited-run road car will follow shortly.

VW I.D. Pikes Peak

Another Pikes Peak star is the VW I.D. Pikes Peak, which took the overall record by more than 16 seconds. The all-electric I.D. is another step towards Volkswagen’s fully electric I.D. range.

Autonomous hill climb attempts

Two firms are both attempting to send an autonomous car along the Goodwood hill climb this year — albeit with very different approaches. First is the Roborace Robocar which is set to be the star of an upcoming driverless racing series, while Siemens will using a classic Ford Mustang retrofitted with autonomous tech.

Alpine A110 GT4

A racing version of the glorious Alpine A110 will make its debut up the hill, along with two different trim levels of the road-going car.

Land Rover 70th parade

This year, Land Rover celebrates its 70th anniversary and a parade of machines from every era of the manufacturer will be taking to the hill climb on Thursday afternoon. With seven decades of cars to choose from, expect to see some very cool stuff.

BMW 8 Series breaks cover

The BMW 8 Series feels like it’s been a long time coming, but we’ll finally get a chance to see the undisguised production version as it goes up the Goodwood hill.

BMW i8 Roadster

Also from the BMW camp, the i8 Roadster will make its dynamic debut at the event.

Brabham BT62

Brabham’s back – this time with a track-only hypercar that will set potential owners back a cool £1 million. We’ve seen the car on display before but this will be the first time it’s been driven in public.

McLaren P1 GT ‘Longtail’

McLaren specialist Lanzante has created a ‘Longtail’ version of the British manufacturers’ P1 hypercar — harking back to the F1 GTs of the 90s. We’ve only seen a teaser image so far, but expect this to be a real showstopper when its revealed at Goodwood next week.

McLaren 600LT

…and while Lanzante reveals a ‘Longtail’, so too will McLaren themselves. The 600LT will make a public debut at the FoS, and is essentially a 570S turned up to 11 — boasting more power, less weight and angrier looks.

Mercedes-AMG GT four-door coupe UK debut

Mercedes-AMG has been teasing a four-door performance model to sit alongside the AMG GT, and we’ll finally see the car in the metal at Goodwood. It’s also making a run up the hill. No name has been revealed yet.

Polestar 1

Although not destined to arrive in the UK as a right-hand-drive machine, the Polestar 1 will be available on our shores in limited numbers and will be present at this year’s Festival of Speed. As well as being on display, it’s slated to be going up the hill climb during the event too.

Tesla Model 3 European debut

We’ve been waiting a long time – and for those who’ve placed orders, they’ll be waiting even longer – but the latest product from US-based Tesla Motors will make its European debut at the show. The affordable Model 3 is capable of delivering 220 miles on a charge and will do 0-60mph in around five seconds.