THEGAYUK

Category: Review

  • CAR REVIEW | Jaguar E-Pace 250ps Petrol HSE R-Dynamic

    CAR REVIEW | Jaguar E-Pace 250ps Petrol HSE R-Dynamic

    ★★★☆☆Jaguar E-Pace 250ps Petrol HSE R-Dynamic

    Cat with Soft Bite

    What Have We Got?

    Jaguar has taken the small luxury SUV market head-on with their new E-Pace. Launched last year to much spectacle in London, where on its debut it entered the Guinness World Records with a 15.3-meter, 270-degree barrel roll even before its launch. A year later and with cars available, The Gay UK finally gets to taste the 250 petrol HSE R-Dynamic model.

    Driving

    One thing you become aware of pretty quickly is that the F-Pace can cover ground quickly. That 250PS 2 litre engine spins happily through its rev range while taking with it its 365 max of torque from 1200 to 4500 rpm through its 4WD automatic drive train. Once on the move that is. For the sporty model in the range, there was a noticeable delay when you pushed the throttle into the carpet. It might be seconds but those are vital seconds.

    With power and speed, comes great responsibility and one thing you want is to rapidly decrease speed. My biggest gripe was the brakes. The ABS did a great job and there was no evidence of lockup, even for a moment. That said, they lacked the bite you’d expect for a sporty model.   

    Inside

    The interior options for the E-Pace R-Dynamic are few and far between with 3 choices of leather colour. The press cars grey exterior with red leather worked well. And the options fitted to the car covered most bases particularly the heated seats and steering wheel.

    Door architecture worked well and the illuminations around were welcomed in breaking up huge expanse with lights, leather and brushed aluminium. It all added to the premium feel that you expect from Jaguar

    What didn’t work for me was the main piece of plastic that forms the facia. Its saving grace was that it was of smooth plastic. It lacks a lot of tactility and felt cheap in an otherwise expensive cabin. 

    Living With It

    It’s an easy car to live with and I found ‘comfort’ mode was best suited to most of my driving needs. There is space for all inside despite its dinky size and it’s reasonably comfortable. Long drives result in a refreshed arrival. There is plenty to play with on-route. 

    Pushing it hard caused the engine to roar in an unnecessary kind of way and it’s not really something you want to try too often.  

    Hurried driving also caused the tyre to vocalise their abundance of grip to all around you. I shouldn’t encourage this but I rather liked it. 

    The Verdict

    There is a lot to recommend about the E-Pace. The finish is good and there are some nice options like the £310 ‘activity key’ wristband. It’s a great first effort into this segment for Jaguar, it just needs to be a little bit better.

     

    Loves

    Door architecture

    Ability to cruise quietly

    Convinces available in the options. (Though some are expensive)

     

    Loathe

    Brakes lack bite

    Throttle response

    facia trim

     

    The Lowdown

    Car – Jaguar E-Pace 250ps Petrol HSE R-Dynamic

    Price – £50,995 (as tested)

    MPG – 36.7mpg (combined)

    Power – 250ps @ 5500rpm

    0-62mph –  6.6 seconds

    Top Speed –  143 mph

    Co2 – 174 (g/km)

  • CAR REVIEW | Honda Civic Diesel Automatic

    CAR REVIEW | Honda Civic Diesel Automatic

    Hondamatic For A New Generation.

    What Have We Got?

    It seems Honda has listened to the motoring world and come up with a new automatic gearbox. Not just any 3 step box of old the Hondamatic days, or CVT (continuously variable transmission) that is the system much derided by all, but a bonafide 9-speed auto. Here we test it in the Civic 1.6 i-DTEC diesel hatchback.

    Driving

    It worked well in the 120ps diesel Civic hatchback it was fitted in. It wasn’t hunting for any of its 9 gears during the test run around Droitwich. 

    The first thing you notice is a lack of gear stick. Honda has opted for the more and more popular choice of push buttons. You’ll find yourself in a yes and no situation as to liking it. In practice, it works well and there are shift pedals on the steering wheel though chances are you won’t really rely on them because the car choices the gears quite rapidly.

    The Verdict

    It’s a nice gearbox and smooth all the way up and down the gears. The push button selector could put some people off. If I have any gripes, it will be that I’d like to see the P (park) button a bit bigger and in red. In a car full of black plastic, it just isn’t bold enough. And for those used to driving automatics, you’ll understand the importance of park.  

    So finally there is an automatic gearbox from Honda that we can recommend. It works well in most situations. Long may it roll out to the entire range of Honda cars.

    Civic diesel Automatics start at £21,915 for the SE model.

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Rebus: Long Shadows

    THEATRE REVIEW | Rebus: Long Shadows

    ★★★☆☆ | Rebus: Long Shadows

    Ian Rankin’s novel series came alive on stage via the adaptation of Rona Munro. It was an atmospheric and sombre affair.

    Rankin’s novels first featured the character of John Rebus in Knots & Crosses where he was merely 40 years old, and he grew older, bitter and more cynical as his life progressed in the subsequent novels, Black and Blue, Exit Music, In A House Of Lies, etc. Putting Rebus on stage was not Ian’s original conception but a fan of his books, producer Daniel Schumann’s. Ian chose Rona as he wanted her take on this robust and clout-packed character.

    Not an adaptation of any of the 19 novels, Rebus – Long Shadows is a unique story bringing together the three protagonists of his series: Rebus (Charles Lawson), Clarke (Cathy Tyson) and Cafferty (John Stahl). The promise was to excite the book fans while giving the newbies a real taste of whodunnit. Centred around two murders that happened ten years apart, but a vivid haunt for Rebus, physical ghosts, and on the ground too, make for an unsettling mystery.

    Charles Lawson, who most will know as Jim McDonald in Coronation Street (ITV) really embodied Rebus in a sombre, tired portrayal, but with spouts of energy in a man who had decades of unfinished business. I never read the books, but Charles portrayal is the image I would have had in my mind. His multi-faceted performance created powerful moments as the murder mystery unravelled. In some parts, Lawson was like Lear of the murder realm.

    Cathy Tyson did a good job as Siobhan Clarke, but as a whole it was not a totally captivating performance. Her portrayal of Clarke was not a secure one, and I am not sure her decades’ bond with Rebus was consistently convincing. John Stahl was exactly what Cafferty was described as, and it was very enjoyable watching his dangerous and playfully performance.

    Neil McKinven played everyone else, but most importantly, murderer Mordaunt, and Andy. It was a very energetic multi-role play, and Neil used comedy very well. However, sometimes it was hard to distinguish between characters, and I think it was due to costume changes that didn’t change much and how quick he was back on stage. The murdered ghosts of Angela and Maggie by Dani Heron and Eleanor House respectively was a well synchronised vocal and physical performance adding more mystery to the narrative.

    The set was fairly simple. The furniture for Rebus’ home was always seen in other scenes which took away from the illusion. However, there was a really nice moment with purple lights shining against the wall of Cafferty’s home making his apartment look very ostentatious, very different from Rebus’.

    Charles portrayal of Rebus is well worth the visit of die-hard fans, but perhaps you had to read the books to be fully immersed.

    Rebus: Long Shadows is on at Birmingham Rep until the 6th October 2018

  • FILM REVIEW | Nureyev

    FILM REVIEW | Nureyev

    ★★★★☆ | Nureyev

    The most famous ballet dancer of all time is spotlighted in the new film Nureyev.

    Rudolf Nureyev was born during the cold, dark days of communist Russia. His talent for dancing was spotted at a young age, and lucky for him, his country wanted to show him off to the rest of the world. While never really hiding his homosexuality, Rudolf was able to travel the world with his ballet troupe, and Nureyez just seemed to lap up the stardom, fame, and money that came along with this success.

    But as we all know, Nureyev didn’t want to be a part of the Russian state, he felt that he, after travelling all over with the ballet company, that he wanted to be free, freedom to him was essential, so while in Paris on a tour, he defected. Yes, he thought about this long and hard, and he knows that when he defects, he would never be able to go back to Russia to see his family, but his decision was final. And thus, he was free, a free man to enjoy a new life in the West, and did he enjoy it.

    Nureyev goes on to show what a life he led; the acclaim, the wealth, and his too close for comfort relationship with Margot Fonteyn, a married British ballet superstar. As the documentary goes to show us, Nureyev and Fonteyn were inseparable. They spent lots of time together, not just on stage but off stage as well. But life had other plans for Nureyev. He was in his early 20s when gay and bisexual men around the world started developing AIDS, and Nureyev, who would die from AIDS-related complications in 1992 (at the age of 54), more than likely picked up the HIV virus in the 80s.

    The documentary filmmakers show us the last days of this superstar, dying and frail, and looking much much older than what he was.

    Nureyev the documentary elegantly, and beautifully incorporates modern dance scenes to play out some of Rudolf’s life events. Ballet dancers, atop a stage in the middle of a forest, play out scenes and events that are being told in the documentary. This storytelling adds to the beauty and dignity of Nureyev’s life. However, Nureyev, the documentary doesn’t even go into detail about any of his gay relationships. Him and arts student Robert Tracy had a two-and-a-half-year love affair, which is not mentioned in the film. Tracy later became Nureyev’s secretary and live-in companion for over 14-years in a long-term open relationship until his death. And there’s no mention of any other lovers nor the hedonistic times he spent dancing at Studio 54.

    Perhaps this is for another documentary. Nureyev, while not completely telling the whole story, is nonetheless a beautiful film about a very talented man who died before his time was up.

    NUREYEV HITS CINEMAS NATIONWIDE | FROM 25 SEPTEMBER 2018 | TICKETS ON SALE NOW: WWW.NUREYEVTHEFILM.COM

  • RESTAURANT REVIEW | Delicatessen, London

    RESTAURANT REVIEW | Delicatessen, London

    ★★★★| Delicatessen, London

    Walking up Roslyn Hill towards Hampstead Heath tube station you’ll walk by a restaurant that’s always full, and why? Because the food is delicious and the portions are huge!

    Delicatessen, open since 2010, is modern Middle Eastern/Israeli cuisine at excellent prices. This neighbourhood restaurant, which was totally full (include the outside tables) on a Wednesday night that we went, has filled a gap for food of this very high quality and taste in this area.

    Chef Or Golan, who has worked in some of Tel Aviv’s most popular restaurants, was most recently a head chef in one of Yotam Ottolenghi’s self-titled restaurants.

    The food at Delicatessen is influenced by Golan’s Moroccan and Lebanese grandparents, so what is cooked straight from the kitchen and sent directly to your table is a mish-mash of extreme flavour & tastes that are bold and wonderful.

    The Sashimi grade bluefin tuna starter was a feast for the eyes and the tongue. Chunks of tuna served with fennel, avocado, anchovies and bits of bruschetta, among many other herbs and spices, are included in this massively huge dish, and at only £12, it’s a steal. Also good value for the money also delicious to boot is the Golden Cauliflower with tahini and smoked Chilli. It was served very warm and soft, oven-baked, and was a huge mound for a mere £8.

    As if we hadn’t enough food in our starters, our mains were even larger!

    My dining companion’s Ras el hanut Lamb Chops were definitely too big for his, or anyone else’s, stomach! Five large chops are served over bulgar wheat, sprinkled with lavender and various greens, and one certainly gets what you pay for (£33). What was missing was any form of sauce, as the wheat became dry – perhaps applesauce would’ve gone perfectly with the lamb. My Old Jaffa Lamb Kebabs were very good. Served with tahini, sehug spice and baby vegetables, three very large and long kebabs were nicely cooked and delicious. The dish could’ve used some starch – perhaps a few potatoes or bulgar wheat, but it was very filling for its £24 price tag.

    What took me and my friend for a loop was the Kadaif tower dessert. Yes, it was a tower and served with strawberries and cream. What is a kadaif you ask? It’s shredded filo dough, and in this dish there is cream in the middle that makes it look and feel like a sandwich. And it was superb – and large – and did I mention extremely delicious? And at £8.50, it’s a no-brainer choice for dessert. We also shared the Handmade Moroccan cigars (basically baklava), filled with nuts, and served with an amazing tasting mint tea. But it was the Kadaif that was memorable, amazing and wow!

    Please have the wonderful Instant B Cotes de Provence Rosé wine with your meal, it’s wet, with a flowery taste that goes well with the fish and meats served on the menu. Or you can have one of Delicatessen’s speciality drinks, including the Msc mule, which was vodka and ginger ale and was very very good.

    The menu at Delicatessen is just simply amazing. And while the prices aren’t cheap cheap, it’s the amount of food given that’s generous. We sat next to a table of two who had ordered the Mixed Grill – it was actually a mound of meat, with chicken thighs, kebabs, lamb chops, mergues & rib eye steak all for a wonderful price of £75. It appeared they could not finish it, and I am sure the took the rest home with them which probably fed them for a few more days. I will order this next time I go to Delicatessen.

    With an amazingly knowledgeable and nice staff, very good food, large portions, all in a nicely remixed from the hustle and bustle location – what’s not to like? I’m definitely looking forward to my next visit to Delicatessen – it’s that mound of meat that I’ll make an attempt at – can’t wait!

    Home

    Location:

    46 Rosslyn Hill, Hampstead
    London NW3 1NH, UK

    020 7700 5511

    Hours

    Sun-Thu • 12:00 – 23:00

    Fri • Closed

    Sat • 18:00 – 23:00

  • CAR REVIEW | Honda Civic DTEC Saloon

    CAR REVIEW | Honda Civic DTEC Saloon

    ★★★★☆ | Honda Civic 1.6i-DTEC SR

    What Have We Got?

    Hot on the heels of our Honda Civic 1.6 i-DTEC hatchback review, we get the newly launched Civic 1.6 i-DTEC saloon. In showrooms burgeoning with SUV’s and dwindling choices of saloons, Honda comes right at you with a new offering in a market that is almost forgotten and a free for all for those who want a 3 box booted vehicle. 

     If you miss the Accord and wished for its return then your dreams have come true. In the real world, it fits nicely where the old Accord would have fitted if not in the Passat segment of car anymore where it once was. 

    Driving

    Here is where the main differences are. Despite all the performance figures looking the same for the diesel engines, the saloon puts its power down in a totally different way making for a more relaxed driving experience. Whereas I had moaned about the speed in which the engine revved to its redline in the hatchback, in the saloon, it seems more leisurely and I like it. It makes for a much more relaxed cruiser.

    Some would moan about this-this because it feels so markedly different. And then you factor in a softer ride. Very soft in comparison to the hatchback. Again something I wished the hatchback was before you press the sports button. 

    Inside

    There is very little to differentiate between the new saloon and hatchback. If I have to be really picky it is what is, or isn’t there under the rear parcel shelf. Again trim and paint appear to be missing leaving exposed speaker wires and unpainted metalwork. 

    As is standard with the hatchback, there is an abundance of black and all controls are identical.

    Living With It

    As I’ve said, the engine and soft ride bring a whole new experience to the Civic saloon that is very different in character to the hatchback.  

    It’s also an attractive looking car. It also cuts through the air better than the hatchback by giving you 3mpg more for no more than 130mm in length. Admittedly these are Honda’s unrealistic combined figures of 83+ miles to the gallon.

    And let’s not forget the boot capacity. From 478 litres, the saloon has an easy to access 519 and that’s before you fold down the 50/50 rear seats. It makes the saloon a very attractive alternative to the hatchback and other hatchbacks. Its size credentials making a case for its space in the showroom

    The Verdict

    Once again Honda presents you with a car that no one can dislike though many might choose to ignore because of that booted rear end. And that in itself is a shame because this really is a delightful car and one that needs to be looked at if you are in the market for a relaxing drive with no dramas and that drama includes wondering if that flat-packed chest of draws will fit the boot. It will. 

    Love

    Looks

    Boot space

    Build quality

    Loathe

    Lack of trim under the rear parcel shelf

    Unrealistic fuel figures

    Heating controls

    The Lowdown

    Car –  Honda Civic 1.6i-DTEC SR

    Price – £ 23,115 (as tested)

    MPG – 83.1 mpg (combined)

    Power – 120 ps

    0-62mph –  10.1 seconds

    Top Speed –  125 mph

    Co2 – 91 (g/km)

  • CAR REVIEW | Range Rover Sport SVD6

    CAR REVIEW | Range Rover Sport SVD6

    ★★★★☆ | Range Rover Sport SVD6

    Weak At The Knees In More Ways Than One

    Range Rover Sport SVD6 review

    What Have We Got?

    Land Rovers vast luxury Range Rover Sport SDV6. Once again, Land Rover has moved the Range Rover further up the luxury bracket which means this isn’t some fancy farm yard vehicle. This is a proper bonafide people carrying 4×4 with proven 4×4 credentials.

    But is it any good as an everyday carrier of people and load?  

    Driving

    Despite its big looks, it is surprisingly easy to drive. On paper at least, the 3-litre turbo diesel has a modest 306 bhp and yet the high 700 Nm of torque from 1500rpm feels quite lethargic in getting it going. It’s not a slouch by any means with a 0-60 time of 6.8 seconds, it just feels like it because it isolates you from the drivetrain so well. 

    When the going gets bumpy, this model also benefits from some impressive damping. The ride remained composed. There was some lurch as expected but it’s much less than you would think there would be despite what height you set the ride at.

    Inside

    For all of its exterior presence, it has an interior that matches. Big and bold with some nice touches in ergonomics and some appalling trim. 

    The twin infotainment screen is nice and when on, disguises greasy fingerprints quite well. You just need to keep the roof blind closed to enjoy it in the sun. It’s more reflective than I would like. 

    The leather coverings on the doors could have been a little bit better, though this was minor compared to the silver trim that ran down the side of the centre console. An unsavoury mould line left a sharp edge protruding that would rub against my bare knee.  

    Living With It

    All I will say is, pick your supermarket parking space wisely! It doesn’t feel as big as it looks to drive so you’ll find it cumbersome in the carpark. 

    It will seat five, though anyone sitting in the middle of the rear won’t feel the love with the drop-down armrest digging in their back. 

    It has the ability to travel ground so effortlessly that motorway driving would be a doddle. It would be if it was fitted with adaptive cruise control. One thing I struggle to get my head around is with all the safety features fitted to this premium 4×4, adaptive cruise is an option. It’s an option that should be standard.

    The Verdict

    I tried not to be swayed by the glamour of the thing but l failed. It took about three miles into my first drive to be in love with it. I didn’t even compile a good and bad list after the first initial run. 

    It’s not perfect though. There are a few niggles I have like trim quality and a suspension system that at times decides to go in too low overnight. That said it does make you feel like the king of the castle and you can see why people go back to buy another.

    Love

    Relaxing cabin

    Ride

    Door architecture

    Loathe

    Hate myself for loving it too much

    Sharp-edged trim

    Lack of adaptive cruise

    The Lowdown

    Car –  Range Rover Sport SVD6

    Price – £78,095 (as tested)

    MPG – 40.4mpg (combined)

    Power – 306bhp

    0-62mph –  6.8 seconds

    Top Speed –  140 mph

    Co2 – 185 (g/km)

  • CAR REVIEW | Honda HR-V 1.6 1-DTEC

    ★★★☆☆ | Honda HR-V 1.6 1-DTEC – A Driver’s SUV

    What Have We Got?

    Honda’s second-generation HR-V. A small SUV type car wrapped in a coupe body based on the small Jazz.

    WHAT! I hear you cry, second generation you say? Yes, that’s right. Honda abandoned the HR-V in 2006 and then brought it back in 2016. So two years into its life, does it still sparkle in the showroom? 

    Driving

    I always try and save the best until last. This isn’t the case with the HR-V. The driving is the best part. For a small SUV that’s a little jacked up and riding high, it is quite engaging to drive when you want to push on a bit. The 120 PS of diesel power at 4000rpm was nicely complemented by the high torque of 300 Nm at a low 200rpm. Mated to a rather nice 6-speed manual gearbox with a very tall 5th and 6th gear. This meant that most hurried driving could be carried out with slipping into 3rd and 4th gear.

     

    Inside

    Despite the pseudo coupe looks, it has stacks of people space inside and headroom isn’t a problem. You certainly couldn’t use ‘adequate’ as a word to describe the rear legroom because it is overly generous. What it does lack is door bin storage and general odds and ends places which aren’t fitting for this kind of car. And it’s all a bit dark inside despite the 50/50 split closed/open panoramic roof option that comes standard on the EX model. 

    Living With It

    At £27,640, you might feel a little out of pocket. It’s not cheap. Then again no SUV is cheap at the moment. Still, for your money, you do get a host of driver aid gadgets and toys in this top of the range HR-V. There are many areas that it could be better in but there are areas that it is much better than expected and that’s driver enjoyment. The ride is soft and comfortable and never leaves you wincing as you take on the worst potholed roads or uneven surfaces. 

    The Verdict

    Despite what I have said, I’m not a fan. Yes, the driving dynamics are rather good for this type of car. Quite a lot better than many if I am honest. It’s just that it lacks showroom appeal. And for the size of the car and the market it is in, it lacks the youth appeal that really is the kind of drivers you would expect to see buy into these smaller SUV’s. This is something VW and Seat do a little bit better. It also lacks innovation and this is something I am rather upset about. Honda is very innovative and yet it seems they have missed many opportunities with the HR-V. Driving and looks aside, you really have to want one to want one. It just didn’t sparkle enough for me. 

    Love

    Driving dynamics

    Engine

    Looks

    Loathe

    Paint finish

    Lack of innovations

    Small door pockets 

    The Lowdown

    Car –  Honda HR-V 1.6 1-DTEC EX manual

    Price – £27,640 (as tested)

    MPG – 68.9 mpg (combined)

    Power – 120PS at 400rpm

    0-62mph –  10.5 seconds

    Top Speed –  119 mph

    Co2 – 104 (g/km)

  • FILM REVIEW | Reinventing Marvin

    ★★★★ | Reinventing Marvin

    Touching performances make this film about the troubled life of a young gay man In the new film ‘Reinventing Marvin’ a must see.

    Newcomer Finnegan Oldfield plays Marvin as a young man (while Jules Porier plays Marvin in his younger years). As a child, he lived a very dysfunctional, and depressing life. Marvin was bullied and beat up at school, constantly taunted for his soft mannerisms (and also for appearing to be gay), and even worse at home where he had a volatile stepfather, slept in a closet, and had a mother who was supportive yet unable to provide him with what he needed most.

    Reinventing Marvin cleverly uses flashbacks that takes the story from his childhood to him discovering a new life in Paris where he truly discovers who he is. He meets people just like himself there, befriends an older gay couple who provide him support that he never got. And finally, he is introduced to Isabelle Huppert (playing herself), who helps him to tell his life story on stage, which changes Marvin’s life, and perhaps will bring some sort of reconciliation with his family, and hopefully, finally, acceptance.

    Marvin reinvents himself, and it’s nice to see the transformation, and Director and writer Anne Fountaine (The Innocents), has crafted a beautifully told and acted story with great performances.

    Now playing at the cinemas and available to order.

  • CAR REVIEW | Volvo XC60 T8 R-Design Pro

    CAR REVIEW | Volvo XC60 T8 R-Design Pro

    ★★★★☆ | Volvo XC60 T8 R-Design Pro

    Volvo XC60 T8 R-Design Pro review

    What Have We Got

    This week we have a plug-in hybrid from Volvo. The Volvo XC60 T8 twin engine, which means it has a 2.0L petrol engine which is supercharged and turbocharged, producing 320bhp, powering the front wheels, with an 87 bhp electric motor powering the rear wheels. Together they provide a combined power figure of 407 bhp, enough to get you to 62mph in 5.3 seconds and on to 140mph.

    Our XC60 T8 is an R-Design Pro meaning it has all the toys and I mean all of them. It’s a beautiful car and extremely well built.

    Driving

    This is probably the most technically advanced car we’ve driven but is also one the most complete, accomplished packages we’ve seen.

    There are several driving modes to choose from:
    Eco (the most frugal settings) Dynamic (a balance between performance and economy, consider this ‘normal’ mode), Off Road (at low speed, makes the XC60 a serious off-road tool)Individual (allows you to personalise settings such as suspension, steering, gearbox etc) In Dynamic, the car is simply beautiful to drive. It’s very fast, very smooth and very easy to drive.

    Inside

    Inside the Volvo is an exquisite place, elegant and graceful. The materials are the best we’ve seen and the fit and finish are beyond compare. R Design features such luxuries as a perforated leather multifunction steering wheel with gearshift paddles, and nubuck leather upholstery. The sports seats are very supportive and infinitely adjustable and there is plenty of room inside for 5 adults in comfort.

    Our test car had the Bowers & Wilkins sound system which was incredible. 15 speakers and 1100 watts of power worked for us.

    Living with it

    Air suspension on the T8 R Design ensures a beautiful ride, soaking up the bumps and potholes of our roads with ease. The T8 is also fitted with adaptable, electronic dampers which means the suspension can be easily adjusted for ride and comfort, but more impressive than that, it constantly adjusts to the driving conditions.

    As a plug-in hybrid, you can drive it on just electric power for up to 20 miles, then it seamlessly switches to the engine’s power. If you have power in the battery at low speeds, on part throttle, you are essentially driving a big electric vehicle. It’s whisper quiet and silky smooth. When you need more power it ditches to the engine’s power, not so you notice though.
    The Verdict

    Our Volvo XC60 was genuinely breathtaking. It is the most advanced and the closest to an autonomous vehicle we have ever driven. The XC60 can steer, brake, and see better than us and uses these attributes to keep us safe.

    Volvo see this car as; ‘a clear step in our work towards fully autonomous cars’.

    It was a real pleasure driving the new Volvo XC60 T8 Twin Engine AWD R-Design Pro. Now we see what all the fuss was about.

    Loves

    Performance

    Interior

    Superb build quality

     

    Loathes

    Price

    Electric range only up to 20 miles

    I can’t afford one

     

    Lowdown

    Car – Volvo XC60 T8 Twin Engine AWD R-Design Pro.
    Price – £53,870 – £59,770
    MPG – 134.5mpg (manufacturer claimed. We only got around 40 mpg)
    0-62 – 5.3s
    Power – 407 bhp (87 bhp electric and 320 bhp petrol)
    Top Speed – 140 mph

  • CAR REVIEW | Kia Ceed GT

    CAR REVIEW | Kia Ceed GT

    ★★★☆☆ | Kia Ceed GT

    Kia Ceed GT

    What Have We Got
    What if you want your cake and eat it. What if you want to have fun but you don’t want to be holding back a monster or fearing every bone jarring journey will end with a trip to the chiropractor? That’s where Kia pulls out their ace card… the Ceed GT. It’s a 200bhp, mid-sized hatchback that isn’t as extreme as the current crop of 300bhp monsters. It’s an outgoing model, soon to be replaced with the all-new Ceed but grab one while you can. They’re priced around £25,000 but there will be some great deals around.

     

    Driving


    Kia’s Ceed GT is a hot hatch, make no mistake. It has a revvy 201bhp / 195lb ft of torque 1.6L turbocharged petrol engine, a brilliant fwd chassis, 6-speed gearbox, supportive leather Recaro sports seats, fully independent front and rear suspension and brilliant brakes behind 18” wheels.

    It’ll crack 0-60 in 7.4sec while the top speed is 143mph. The all-important CO2 emissions are 171g/km and the brochure says you can get 38.2mpg combined fuel consumption.

    Inside


    Modern car interiors seem to be dull, unimaginative places. Kia has done a cracking job inside the Ceed. The leather Recaro seats are comfortable, they look great and they do a fantastic job of supporting you.

    The materials are high quality and look and feel great. A 7in touchscreen with sat nav was easy to use, there’s a surprisingly high resolution reversing camera and the heated seats and steering wheel were very welcome on these winter mornings.
    Headlights are Xenon adaptive with automatic levelling. It’s like turning daylight back on.

    Living with it

    The engine is revvy and eager but not overpowering, with enough power to be fast and fun.

    The Cee’d GT can do the shopping run in the morning, jump on the motorway and eat up hundreds of miles in comfort and actually pretty efficiently, and if you want to let your hair down, pull off onto a B road for some serious fun. This car can take all that in its stride. That’s impressive. In sports mode, the dials show boost and torque which is fun. Changing down through the manual gearbox with a blip of the throttle, the 1.6L engine is lovely and responsive.

    The Verdict


    To sum up, the Cee’d is great fun. We had it for a week and had a blast. It’s great fun, fast, excellent handling car with a very high-quality interior for around £25k new. You can expect more hot versions from the Kia stable. Like we said earlier, this is an outgoing model so there will be some around for an absolute bargain. If you’re after a fun car that is easy to drive, comfortable, practical and looks great, maybe this is for you?

     

    Love
    Engine – Revvy, responsive, fast enough.
    Interior
    Handling

    Loathe
    Brand image. Is Kia cool yet?
    Price. (There are some big discounts at the moment though)
    Synthesized engine sound in sport mode

    Lowdown

    Car – Kia Ceed GT
    Price – Around £25,000 with discounts as it’s an outgoing model
    MPG – 38.2 mpg (combined)
    0-62 – 7.4 seconds
    Power – 201bhp and 264nm torque
    Top Speed – 143 mph
    Co2 – 171 (g/km)