Car Reviews

Peugeot 208

The Peugeot 208 is better than the 207 it replaces – and the 206 before that, the 208 is superior to its ancestors. There are classy design touches everywhere on the 208 the interior materials are posher and the nifty touch screen as standard, which has totally transformed the interior. No more cluttered dash, the Pug has an up market feel to it. That screen controls everything from your iPod to the satnav – it’s intuitive to use.

There’s a wide range of engines – from a new 1.0-litre, three-cylinder petrol to the refined and punchy 1.6 e-HDi diesel tested here – via all the usual diesels and petrols in between. The focus has been on economy and emissions, so most emit under 100g/km of CO2. Our 1.6 e-HDi coughs out 99g/km and returns a claimed 74.3mpg – impressive for a car with 113bhp and 210lb ft.

The 208’s has shed 110kg over the 207,208 it’s impressively well-damped, helping to give the 208 a big-car feel. Customers are more likely to appreciate the economy and refinement, the step up in quality and design. Stats 1560cc, 4cyl, FWD, 113bhp, 210lb ft, 74.3mpg, 99g/km CO2, 0-62 in 9.7secs, 118mph, 1090kg.

BMW 5 Series Active hybrid

BMW 5-Series is totally unique. Performance is the name of the game. The engine-stop never happens. The eight-speed auto ‘box favors high revs.

The hybrid is a little bit quicker than a vanilla 535i, even though they share exactly the same 306bhp turbo straight-six. The extra pick-up comes because the hybrid e-motor is, in Sport, locked to the engine, acting as a booster when you boot the throttle.

The new hybrid system is simple. The battery is behind the rear seats (ruling out a Touring). The automatic clutch is between the engine and the e-motor, which itself sits in place of the absent torque-converter, and does the same job on starting up. The eight-speed auto ‘box is largely unaltered, reducing the price premium.
The hybrid’s price, performance and economy are all in line with a 535d. Two cars in one: sports saloon and hybrid stats 2979cc, 6cyl, plus e-motor, RWD, 340bhp, 331lb ft, 44.1mpg, 149g/km CO2, 0-62 in 5.9secs, 155mph, 1850kg.

Volkswagen Passat Alltrack

The Alltrack has a Haldex 4WD system that sends 90 per cent of torque to the front wheels which helps efficiency, but can switch and send almost all to the rear wheels.

In the UK it arrives this July; it’ll only be available with a 2.0-litre diesel engine. The entry-level model is a 138bhp manual; the other, a 168bhp DSG twin-clutch. Both are smooth, quiet and thoroughly capable (if slightly high on CO2) engines, and there’s nothing wrong with the manual gearbox. It’s just that the DSG makes life easier and has that bit more overtaking punch.

The ride and handling is impressive. The suspension has been toughened up to cope with the supposed extra workload, and simply feels like it’s been constructed from more expensive components. The Alltrack feels and looks relaxed and quietly professional.

It’s also spacious, nicely finished inside and good to live with. The stats1968cc, 4cyl, 4WD, 168bhp, 258lb ft, 47.9mpg, 155g/km CO2, 0-62 in 8.9secs, 131mph, 1725kg.

The new Focus ST

The new Focus ST is out of this world and magnificent even though it’s lost a cylinder, apparently you won’t miss it. The old ST’s 2.5-litre five-pot is replaced by a less exotic 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo, a beefed-up version of Ford’s familiar Ecoboost unit. More power up from 221bhp to 247bhp – with economy and emissions improving to nearly 40mpg and just 169g/km of CO2. The power hike is good for a 0-60mph of just 6.2 seconds.

Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL500

Mercedes new SL is one of those cars that immediately get’s your attention. The 435bhp, V8 SL500 is 125kg lighter than the previous version all-up, and the 306bhp, V6 SL350 goes way better by managing a generational weight loss of 140kg. The SL500 will stamp its way to 62mph from rest in 4.6secs.The 4.6-litre V8 thumps away like lighting.

The ergonomics are relaxed and spacious for two, with plenty of storage. The SL500 is lovely, and works really well. It’s exactly 100kg lighter again than the SL500 (1,685kg plays 1,785), comes equipped with over 300bhp and is capable of 40+mpg. There’ll also be an SL63 with a 5.5-litre bi-turbo V8. The SL it’s quite brilliant.