Nissan QashQai reviewed. 2007 onwards models. Strangely named, it is an usually take on the small family hatchback aimed at the market of people that would normally buy a Golf or Focus. It does have 4x4 looks and is available as a four by four but it is strictly for on-road use. It comes is three equally strange named models. Visia, Acenta and Tekna which is the top level. Plenty of space in the front and back. Great all round vision for the driver. Comes with both petrol and turbo diesel engines. Video courtesy of Lycos UK and Parkers online car guide. Yopu can by this family hatchback both new and used and is also available on sort term car hire and long term contract lease or PCP.

Added by: reviews
Tags: qashqai 4x4 visia acenta tekna hatch hatchback hot
Date: 2008-12-11

Fiat Punto review and test drive. 2006 to present (2009). In the super mini class, the Punto has now been around for well over a decade. In its new guise, it has got an ultra modern feeling, but we still feel it is a typical girlie car. The drivers seat comes with height adjustment, whilst the steering wheels has both reach rake movement. The is plenty of headroom. The dashboard has an a-typical layout, you will everything is where you would expect it to. The downside from the drivers perspective is the big thick windscreen pillars which hinder visibility, especially into corners. The Grande Punto from Fiat is just that. Its big inside and out for a car in the mini class. You will find this car in new car sales, used car sales and asl also available on short term car hire and long term lease hire or PCP. Video curtesy of Parkers and is not necessarily the opinion of ShiftMetal.

Added by: reviews
Tags: fiat punto grande super mini
Date: 2009-01-14

Ford Focus ST reviews. 2005 to present (2009). If your fortunate enough to have around the 20K mark to blow on a hot hatch, then take a long good look at the Ford Focus ST. There are three ST models available from Ford, the ST, ST2 and the top of the range ST3. The three Focus hot hatch cars are also priced quite reasonably, in line with other motors in the hot-hatch class. We have sampled some of the good and bad from Ford Focus St reviews from around the globe, to bring you an unbiased written summary to accompany the video which came courtesy of Parkers online car guide. The base model available around the £17,500 mark still comes with good selection of equipment including alloy wheels and Recaro seats. The ST2 throws in front xenon headlights, heated windscreen, Fords ESP traction control with stability management and a Sony mp3 compatible stereo, and retails at around £18,500. The ST3 comes complete with all the afore mentioned plus full leather interior, electronically controlled seat adjustment and a six CD interchanger and is priced just short of £20,000. AutoTrader reckon this is the best all round hot hatch available on the market today. The cabin is roomy, the boot is spacious. The 2.5 litre petrol delivers 225 bhp. Flat out you will get from 0 to 60 in under 6.8 seconds. Top speed is around the 150 mph mark. The Ford Focus ST also scored 5 stars on the Euro EnCap safety test. You can find used Focus ST cars for sale. They are also available as new car sales. It is also available on short term car hire and longer term contract lease or PCP. Enjoy the video of the Ford Focus ST review.

Added by: reviews
Tags: focus st st2 st3 hot hatch hot-hatch hothatch
Date: 2008-12-19

Volvo s40 review, 2004 to 2009. The S40's front seats are very comfortable, with plenty of shoulder and thigh support, and there’s a wide range of adjustment for the steering wheel. Except for the tacky display, the centre console looks pretty good. It could do with coming in some more funky colours though to accommodate modern life. However, on another downside the controls are small and fiddly and the information display could be clearer and as we say, available in a multitude of groovy colours that would give s40 a bit more vibe and street cred. As you would expect from Volvo, you get a very high standard of safety and every S40 is come keenly equipped. Entry-level S models come with many things that are usually extra on most everyday cars such as electronic climate control, front and rear electric windows, remote central locking and 16-inch alloy wheels. Sport models add larger alloys and sportier trim and suspension, while extras on SE and SE Sport models include leather upholstery, an upgraded stereo system, automatic wipers and an electrically adjustable driver's seat with memory. Engines come in both diesel and petrol. We prefer the T5, which is a 220bhp 2.5 litre turbo charged animal. Volvo s4 new cars sales are available through all the authorised dealerships up and down the country. You should also be able to find plenty of used Volvo s40 cars for sale. It is also available on short term car hire and longer term contract lease or PCP: Perfect for motorway driving.

Added by: reviews
Tags: s40 s 40 saloon t5 se sport
Date: 2008-12-17

Mazda RX 8 reviewed. 2003 onwards model. Unique styling in its coupe class. Unique throughout. Rear hinge extra set of doors, clap hand doors and rotary engine. Lower power model comes with an excellent Bose stereo. SatNav available. Poised handling and good steering. Decent head and leg space in the back. All RX-8's come with six airbags. Big downside is its a real oil burner and you have to keep your eye on the oil gauge. Good all round coupe. This car is available for sale both used and new and can be obtained on short term car hire or longer term contract lease or pcp. Video courtesy of Lycos UK and Parkers.

Added by: reviews
Tags: rx8 rx-8 rx 8 coupe
Date: 2008-12-11

Mercedes C-Class review and test drive. The Merc CClass is the entry level for Mercedes-Benz. Comes in petrol and diesel engines. SE is the start point in the range. Better equipment than older models with knee bags and child seat belts. lighting packs and chrome surrounds. Nice cockpit. V6 available in some petrol engines. Diesels are the top sellers. Very good handling, almost on a par with the BMW 3 series. This car is available for sale new and used and can be gained on short term car hire and long term contract lease or PCP. Video of this Mercedes C-Class is courtesy of Parkers Online car guide. and is not necessarily the view of ShiftMetal.co.uk. ShiftMetal says, No matter which Merc you opt for, you are guaranteed a very well made car with a real good reliable engine. Merc still are the class leader in virtually every range they have a car in. However, don't expect too much styling in the interior. Although the Germans are possibly the best engineers in the automorive industry, when it comes to making things look pretty, I'm afraid they need to go back to the drawing board.

Added by: reviews
Tags: merc mercedes c class c-class executive luxury motor test drive review reviews motors
Date: 2009-01-14

Alfa Romeo 159 reviews. There are sixteen different specifications to choose from in the 159 range. New car prices start from £18,945 for the entry level 1.8 litre petrol engine MPI Turismo which has 140 BHP through to the the top of the range 3.2 litre petrol engine JTS V6Q4 Ti 4 door model which produces 260 BHP. There is a large selection of both petrol and diesel engines. Ten unleaded and six diesels. Currently, the this model has not been EnCap tested so no safety rating is available. Insurance groups are between 10 and 16, 10 for the base model, rising to 16 for the top end motor. Performance again differs from model to model. The 2.2 JTS sportwagon (hatchback) can reach from 0 to 60 in 9 seconds, and has a top speed of 137 mph. It has a six speed manual transmission. Alfa give fuel economy statistics as 21.4mpg urban, 38.7 mpg extra urban and a combined fuel consumption of 29.7 mpg. There is something available as an extra called the Alfa Connect System which has SatNav and built in online services apparently voice activated. It adds a further £2000.00 to the book price. Order it without the online services and you save £500.00. You can find Alfa Romeo 159 models for sale both new and used, and you can also find them on short term car hire and longer term contract lease or PCP. Video review courtesy of NewCarNet.co.uk and may not be the opinion shared by ShiftMetal.co.uk

Added by: reviews
Tags: alfa romeo 159 turismo lusso sportwagon sport wagon
Date: 2009-01-12

Ford Focus c-max reviewed. Based on the excellent Ford Focus so its one of the best compact people carriers to drive. Launched in 2003, it was restyled in 2007. The interior has an up market feel, however it only has five seats. Higher entries have rain sensitive wipers and multiple airbags. Available in both petrol and diesel engines. Angle for a discount on new petrols. Review courstesy of Parkers online guide and Lycos UK. This car is available to buy new and used and you can also get one on short term car hire and also contract lease.

Added by: reviews
Tags: compact people carrier
Date: 2008-11-30

Ford S-MAX reviewed. Seven seat flexibility. One of the best looking large people carriers on the market, a good alternative to the larger estates. Vide comes courtesy of Parkers and Lycos UK. This car is available for sale both new and used. You can also hire this car short term or on pcp or contract lease hire.

Added by: reviews
Tags: people carrier s-max smax
Date: 2008-11-30

Suzuki Swift reviews. 2005 to present models. Seven different engine specification available. There are four 1.3 litre petrol engines, two 1.5 litre petrols and one diesel. Top of the range is the 1.6 Sport which produces 125 bhp. A real girlie car! This is GLX spec with added traction control, climate control and an MP3 enabled stereo. Expect decent discounts on this car. As for cars , you can buy this new and used and it is also available to hire short term or longer term contract hire or PCP. New sales expect to pay between £8,000 and £13,200 depending on which specification you opt for. We wouldn't say this is a hot hatch, more of a luke warm hatchback.

Added by: reviews
Tags: hatch back hatchback supermini suzuki swift mini
Date: 2008-12-13

Honda Jazz reviewed. 2002 to 2008 model. This elegant little number was a breath of fresh air when it first arrived. Its cheeky looks has endeared it to the people who have paid quite a lot of money for a car in this class. Its a pity you have to upgrade to the SE or sport to get the side airbags. Sport also has climate control. The Jazz has the most impressive folding seat selection and you can even fit in a mountain bike in certain combinations. The Honda Jazz is available for sale both new and used and is also available on short term car hire and also contact lease hire or pcp. It really is like a Swiss army knife inside when you start playing with the folding seats. Video courtesy of Parkers and Lycos.

Added by: reviews
Tags: jazz small super mini honda
Date: 2008-12-07

Kia Picanto reviewed. Model range 2004 to 2008. Well equipped, good drive city car. The car got a face life in early 08 and has low running costs. All specifications come with CD, front airbag and electric front windows. Very cheap to run. 1.0 litre and 1.1 petrol engines only. Very easy to park, but do not bother if you have to drive out of town. Video courtesy of Parkers online car guide. You can hire this car short term, longer term on contract lease or PCP and is also available for sale both new and used.

Added by: reviews
Tags: picanto mini city
Date: 2008-12-09

Ford focus reviewed. 2005 - 2008 model. Small hatch. Older models not so stylish but the 2008 has had a face lift. Many different engines available. long options list including satnav and rear seat dvd. Driving position is spot on. Instrument panel well laid out and pretty stylish. 2.0 litre is for the those looking for a bit of performance. Diesels are good for long distance drivers. All models are quiet. Rival cars from the class above for space. Easy filler cap stops you putting the wrong fuel in. Used values are strong, however good discounts are also offered on new models. Available new, used and on contract lease hire and short term car hire.

Added by: reviews
Tags: focus hatch hatchback
Date: 2008-11-27

Renault Grand Scenic reviewed. 2004 to 2008 model. People carrier. Video courtesy of Parkers. Car hire on this model is available. You can also hire it long term on contract lease or PCP. Seven seats. Same petrol and diesel engines as the normal scenic. Aircon, electric windows and airbags all as standard. Alloys not available on the standard. Turbo diesel is a very good engine.

Added by: reviews
Tags: people carrier grand scenic
Date: 2008-12-11

Audi A3 reviewed courtesy of Parkers online car guide and Lycos. This car is one of the leading hot hatches on the market today, covering date range 2003 to 2008. You can buy this car both new and used and it is also available on short term car hire and vehicle contract leasing or pcp.

Added by: reviews
Tags: audi a3 compact convertible s3 sport standard hot hatch quattro
Date: 2008-11-25

Audi A5 reviews and road test drives. The A5 definitely adds to Audi reputation as a manufacturer of comfort, class and quality. Not only in our written review, but also on the video courtesy of YouTube and NewCarNet. In the road test, the car looks sure footed with oodles of understated charm. One thing we didn't like too much was the sheer lack of space in the rear seats. No head neck or leg room at all. No good for the famil, but if you are single or just a couple of DINKY's, it is a good motor. It is also not as sporty as the BMW cars in the same class. Don't be fooled by its looks, even it may look like a sports coupe, it is more of a grand tourer. It is a step up from the A4, still Audi, with the A5 are still lagging behind the class leaders, BMW and their 3 series. Saying that though, it is still a refined ride. The V6 diesel we got hold of sounded more like a petrol engined V6. Traffic noise from outside is not an issue, however, at Motorway speeds, the wind is. There is plenty of choice, when it comes to engine capacity, the choices are turbocharged, direct-injection 1.8 or 2.0 petrols, a 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel and, for the exclusive use of the S5, a 4.2-litre petrol V8. It is really uncanny just how close the Audi A5 V6 and V8 are for pull, the outcome being that on a straight, the two are pretty evenly matched. What's particularly impressive is how flexible they both are. We hope you enjoy our written Audi A5 review, please be aware that the A5 road test video is strictly the opinion of NewCarNet and may not reflect the opinions of ShiftMetal. Prices vary on the a5, but expect to pay between £24,464 and £37,753 on the road.

Added by: reviewer
Tags: audi a5 saloon executive prestige luxury v6 v8 grand tourer sport sports car cars review reviews road test
Date: 2009-02-25

Audi q7 reviews and road test drives. I say old boy, do you live at two two two Park Avenue? That is how posh the Audi Q7 is. It really is the Chelsea-est of Chelsea tractors. This is a very well made 4x4, however the third row of seats do leave you feeling a bit cramped. The ride is also, probably, too firm and running costs and new prices are too high.If you can afford one thorugh that shouldn't bother you. All though the Q7 is setpu like and off roader, it does lean more to a town car more than anything else. The change of direction is very good, on the road, wouldn't like to chance it off road though. The ride is a bit too bumpy due to the veery firm suspension. You will not be disturbed by any engine noise on any the engines available across the range. Perfectly sound proofed. Expect the Audi Q7 to hold its value quite well. In the cockpit, there is one knob that just about control everything you need. Very similar to the BMW i-drive system, although, not as strgiht forward as its rival. Each and every single model from the range comes with seven seats, alloy wheels, air suspension, climate control, cruise control and electric windows all-round as standard. Expect further refinements, the more you pay, fir instance, the SE model offers heated leather seats with electric adjustment, wood and aluminium trim for the cabin and extra lighting. The higher class S-line also gives you headlamp washers, sporty styling details and sports seats. Options include a DVD sat-nav system and a panoramic sunroof over all three rows of seats. Prices start at around £32,000 and a bit for the very basic model, all the way up to just short of £100,000. We hope you enjoy the video of the Audi Q7 review and road test.

Added by: reviewer
Tags: audi q7 review road test 4x4 off roader offroader sline s-line se
Date: 2009-02-25

TopGear Challenge. Mini cab. James May and Richard Hammond take so called versatile hatchbacks and run them through the streets of London to see just how well they stack up. They use the £18500 Renault Scenic and the Ford C-Max. A Top Gear review, and as usual with a difference. They are begging the question, is it worth paying extra for a hatch back with a few extra inches headroom? Don't ask Hammond, he can varely touch the pedals! The Ford C Max versus the Renault Scenic as taxis in London.

Added by: TopGearFan
Tags: topgear top gear james may richard hammond taxi cab challenge funny renault scenic ford cmax c-max
Date: 2009-01-20

Hyundai i30 reviewed. 2007 - 2008 model. This is no longer a budget class vehicle, however it is still cheap price wise. The equipment level is really really good. This car is available to buy and you can find for sale both used and new and is also available on contract leas or pcp and short term car hire. Video courtesy of Parkers Online Car guide. same class as Ford Focus, but not up to the Focus's standard. comes in both petrol and diesel engines.

Added by: reviews
Tags: i30 hatchback hatch back hyundai
Date: 2008-12-07

TopGear challenges to cross the lake in a converted car. A chance to see the Top Gear boys famous car-boat challenge! Will any of their converted cars survive the Top Gear challenges? First in the two aired segments concerning amphibious cars. Funny video with some hilarious comments made by all three presenters, James May, Richard Hammond and Jeremy Clarkson. Gentlemen, start your engines for the Top Gear Cross the lake in an amphibious motor car.

Added by: TopGearFan
Tags: topgear top gear amphibious car cars lake jeremy clarkson richard hammond james may funny
Date: 2009-01-20