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Road tests

Howdy partner

Howdy partner

Look familiar? The Partner Combi has burst on to the budget-MPV scene, and Auto Express is first behind the wheel. It's based on the virtually identic…
Road tests
17 Dec 2002
X-TRA Hot?

X-TRA Hot?

They're not renowned for their lively performance or good road manners, but if you're looking to blaze a trail in an SUV, Nissan reckons it has the an…
Road tests
27 Nov 2002
Honda Accord Type S

Honda Accord Type S

It takes more than a pretty face and a few choice extras to make the grade in the fleet and family sector these days. Honda knows it, and has pulled o…
Road tests
27 Nov 2002
VW Golf 25th Anniversary 1.9 PD

VW Golf 25th Anniversary 1.9 PD

What a difference 25 years can make. A quarter of a century ago, VW's hot hatch revelation, the Golf GTI, was the talk of the motoring press. But it c…
Road tests
19 Nov 2002
Toyota MR2 1.8 VVTi SMT

Toyota MR2 1.8 VVTi SMT

With winter approaching, the weather is turning against roadster fans. But Toyota is tempting those hardy enough to its sprightly MR2 with key upgrade…
Road tests
13 Nov 2002
Vauxhall Astra GSi

Vauxhall Astra GSi

Things might look rosy now, but wind the clock back and the current Astra and Zafira were still on the drawing board...
Road tests
12 Nov 2002
Volkswagen Bora ST 1.8T

Volkswagen Bora ST 1.8T

Think 150bhp is enough? Then think again... VW has squeezed an extra 30bhp out of its trusty 150bhp 1.8-litre turbo engine, and added another string t…
Road tests
5 Nov 2002
Lexus IS200 SportCross

Lexus IS200 SportCross

It seems Lexus believes that good things come in small packages - especially as far as building estate cars is concerned. On sale now, the new 2.0-lit…
Road tests
22 Oct 2002
Alfa Romeo 147 GTA

Alfa Romeo 147 GTA

Why do enthusiasts get so excited at the thought of an Alfa? The rich motorsport heritage? The gorgeous Italian styling? Sure, both are useful in the …
Road tests
22 Oct 2002
Saab 9-3 Vector 1.8t

Saab 9-3 Vector 1.8t

If you're someone who wants to be different from the pack but not considered weird or eccentric, expect a call from your local Saab dealer.
Road tests
16 Oct 2002
Volkswagen Polo FSI SE 5-dr

Volkswagen Polo FSI SE 5-dr

They're all getting a bit smug at Volkswagen. Not content with redefining the diesel hatch market with the PD range, they're now using the technology …
Road tests
16 Oct 2002
Just four fun

Just four fun

As the 505cc engine of Ligier's new Be-Up splutters into life, it's best to take a couple of seconds to settle your nerves. It has no doors or airbags…
Road tests
9 Oct 2002
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Smooth Torquer

Smooth Torquer

Having pioneered the MPV in Europe, Renault has again stolen a march on the opposition with this fourth-generation Espace, thanks to its unrivalled en…
Road tests
9 Oct 2002
Brawn winner

Brawn winner

Gentlemen, start your engines! The race to build the ultimate autobahn basher shows no signs of slowing up as Mercedes charges into the fray with its …
Road tests
9 Oct 2002
Brave new face

Brave new face

Youv'e seen those adverts in which Hollywood beauties with an unfeasible number of birthdays behind them praise the virtues of the latest anti-ageing …
Road tests
24 Sep 2002
MG ZT CDTi

MG ZT CDTi

Back in the days of Ford Sierras, Austin Montegos and Vauxhall Cavaliers, the badge on the bootlid told all. It wasn't simply the engine size displaye…
Road tests
24 Sep 2002
Just bootiful!

Just bootiful!

Nobody can deny that value for money is an important factor in any buying decision. Do you plump for the big brand baked beans, or are you the kind of…
Road tests
18 Sep 2002
Get a good grip

Get a good grip

The future of four-wheel drive has changed forever. Nissan has just unveiled the world's lightest, most cost-effective 4x4 system, and fitted it to it…
Road tests
17 Sep 2002
The family duals

The family duals

Buy this car and next year you could have the holiday of a lifetime! It's not some competition, but that's what you could afford with savings you make…
Road tests
17 Sep 2002
Audi A2 FSI

Audi A2 FSI

If there's one thing Audi's A2 has always lacked, it's a bit of poke under the bonnet. It might be light in weight thanks to the aluminium body, but t…
Road tests
11 Sep 2002
...Astra saves fuel

...Astra saves fuel

If you can't bring yourself to switch to diesel, then all is not lost. Vauxhall has also developed a new system for its small petrol engines which inc…
Road tests
10 Sep 2002
The sky's the limit

The sky's the limit

What does five grand buy you these days? A service on a Ferrari, perhaps, a quarter of a Ford Mondeo, or maybe a pair of hospitality tickets at the Br…
Road tests
27 Aug 2002
BMW 316i

BMW 316i

For some drivers, only a BMW will do. They think that having a blue-and-white propeller badge on the bonnet shows that they have made it, and can't wa…
Road tests
27 Aug 2002
Honda Jazz CVT-7

Honda Jazz CVT-7

Sometimes five gears just aren't enough... or six, even! Honda's taking a big step forward and giving us seven. It's the popular Jazz that's been chos…
Road tests
20 Aug 2002
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Rover's subtle T

Rover's subtle T

Imagine the average Rover 75 driver, and turbos don't really fit in. After all, the mature and sensible image of the big Brit saloon and estate summo…
Road tests
13 Aug 2002
Ford Focus RS 2002 review

Ford Focus RS 2002 review

Show star, cover model and dream machine. Few cars have enjoyed the limelight like Ford's Focus RS.
Road tests
13 Aug 2002
Low smileage carrier

Low smileage carrier

As Mazda found out, without a diesel engine you might as well not bother in the people carrier sector. With only one petrol unit and dull styling, its…
Road tests
6 Aug 2002
A mighty giant

A mighty giant

There are a few ways to get supercar-slaying performance from an everyday vehicle. Fitting turbos is one route, or you can create a race-honed engine…
Road tests
6 Aug 2002
Volkswagen Golf GTI

Volkswagen Golf GTI

It's the jubilee year - and Volkswagen is celebrating in style! But rather than mark the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, the German firm is marking …
Road tests
23 Jul 2002
Hyundai Getz 1.3

Hyundai Getz 1.3

This is it: crunch time. After years of talking about establishing itself as a force in the mainstream car market, Hyundai has finally put its money w…
Road tests
23 Jul 2002
Daihatsu Sirion Rally IV

Daihatsu Sirion Rally IV

First it lost out to Mercedes' E-Class, and now it has truly fallen from its pedestal. The venerable BMW 5-Series has been beaten again... this time b…
Road tests
17 Jul 2002
Sawn off shogun

Sawn off shogun

Squatting threateningly over huge 22-inch alloy wheels, sunlight glinting off its gunmetal grey paintwork and brutally sculpted body. The Mitsubishi …
Road tests
17 Jul 2002
BMW M3 CSL

BMW M3 CSL

BMW is going back to its roots. To celebrate 30 glorious years of M cars, the German giant is, for once, taking a look in its rear view mirror. Not co…
Road tests
9 Jul 2002
Caterham Superlight R300

Caterham Superlight R300

While engineers at luxury car makers strive to make their new products quieter and more refined, a small company in Surrey takes great delight in crea…
Road tests
25 Jun 2002
Vauxhall Vectra GSi

Vauxhall Vectra GSi

If you use this model's sporty handling to the full, your suit jacket slides off the coat hook in the back...
Road tests
25 Jun 2002
Hyundai Getz

Hyundai Getz

It's all very well for Hyundai to gain credibility with fashionable cars such as the new Coup� and the Santa Fe 4x4, but it's not these models which w…
Road tests
25 Jun 2002
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