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First Drives

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First drive review: BMW 3-series plug-in hybrid (2014)

BMW's plug-in hybrid saloon packs serious power and torque alongside low emissions, high mpg and a bargain price...
Published 02 December 2014
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First drive review: Audi Prologue concept car (2014)

From Julia Roberts's revealing outfit in Pretty Woman to shops with a strict invitation-only door policy, Rodeo Drive has seen most things. It is...
Published 25 November 2014
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First drive review: Mercedes-AMG GT S (2015)

Mid-market sports cars are cash cows for manufacturers, none more so than the Porsche 911. But it's got competition...
Published 17 November 2014
Kia Soul EV review

First Drive review: Kia Soul EV (2015)

The electric Soul shows how far battery technology has come since the tin cans of 2008. Pity about the price...
Published 17 November 2014
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First Drive review: Smart Fortwo Passion (2015)

Its dashboard may resemble Cookie Monster, the goggle-eyed character from Sesame Street but the newly bulked-up city car is fit for purpose...
Published 10 November 2014
2014 Skoda Fabia review by Giles Smith for Sunday Times Driving

First drive review: Skoda Fabia 1.2 TSI SE (2015)

Take a look at the crimps and bevels in the bodywork of the new Skoda Fabia hatchback. Are you seeing what I’m seeing? Because what I’m seeing...
Published 03 November 2014
2015 Vauxhall Corsa SRi review

First drive review: Vauxhall Corsa SRI VX-line (2014)

The Corsa has a new body, new innards and — sort of — new engines. But only one question matters: is it as good as the Ford Fiesta?
Published 21 October 2014
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First drive review: BMW X6 M50d (2014)

When I first drove the BMW X6, in 2008, I came away thinking it was a car with all the impracticality of a coupe but none of the style, and all the...
Published 14 October 2014
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First drive review: Volkswagen Passat (2015)

Almost 22m VW Passats have been sold since the model’s launch in 1973, and this eighth-generation version looks set to become another firm favourite...
Published 10 October 2014
Vauxhall Adam Rocks Air review

First drive review: Vauxhall Adam Rocks Air 1.0T (2014)

When Vauxhall gave us the Adam earlier this year it was clearly sent to jostle for urban space with the Fiat 500, the Citroën DS3 and all those other...
Published 06 October 2014
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First drive review: Nissan GT-R Nismo (2014)

Nissan’s fastest machine is a rival for any Ferrari. Odd for a family-car maker? Not at all: it’s a test-bed for kit that will be in tomorrow’s...
Published 01 October 2014
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First drive review: Ford Mustang (2015)

For a car we’ve never been able to buy, the Ford Mustang has a mystical grip on British hearts.
Published 29 September 2014