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Like a phoenix rising from the ashes - the British Motor Show returns!

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Published: Thursday, 21 November 2019 01:34
 
In August 2020 the British Motor Show will return - in its new home: the Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre – which is a great modern and spaceous location. It’s close to London and caters to the M3 corridor in the South, however we believe it will draw people in from all over the UK.
 
The show hasn't been seen since 2008 when it was last held at the London ExCel centre and was hosted by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
 
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SsangYong Korando 2019 Pioneer Review & Road Test

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Published: Sunday, 17 November 2019 22:51

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The 4th Gen Korando is an SUV that's come along way, the model we had was the diesel now this is a 1.6 Turbo this is smaller than previous versions yet just as torquey.

 

We have the Pioneer trim, with the 1.6 diesel engine coupled to a 6 speed automatic, there are 4 trims available, the ELX, Ventura, Pioneer and Ultimate.

 

It's practical, well trimmed and you can get tech including full LED's, virtual navigation in the cluster and lot more.

 

The clever thing with the new Korando is safety is the same across the whole range. Interiors vary dependant on trim, as for driving it, great combo, runs well, gets a touch louder at higher revs, smooth changes not as smooth as say a 9 speed, however that makes sense.

 

There are 3 driving modes, these change the characteristics of the SUV. Steering is direct and there is little body roll unless you hammer it, overall a great SUV.

 

Prices start at under £20,000 and top out around £32,000, watch out for petrol and electric models in the future.

 

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2001 Honda Insight - A hybrid ahead of its time?

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Published: Wednesday, 13 November 2019 11:39

The Honda Insight 1st Gen, a hybrid car devleoped with one goal in mind ground breaking fuel economy.

The 2 seater is powered by 1 litre 3 cylinder VTEC and an electric motor.

It offers around 70 mpg, even Ben has achieved 60mpg with his style of driving. It's construction is all aluminium, making it light and the design has cues such as covered wheels sloping roof and sloping sides.

It was manufactured in Suzuka Japan, the same factory as the NSX.

We have this car on review all week, we're even doing a long haul to see how an 18 year old hybrid copes in todays world.

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50 Years of the Ford Capri Classic Motor Show NEC

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Published: Sunday, 10 November 2019 16:21
 
It's quite crazy to think, the Ford Capri has just turned 50 years old this year, now everyone has either owned one or experienced one.
 
There were 3 Mk's produced in total and one of the final models was the Capri Brooklands Edition a 2.8l that came in green and was a special edition Capri.
 
We interview the founder of Ford Capri club Mansfield, this club attracts members from all over the UK with a range of fabulous cars.
 
These cars include a Zakspeed tribute, Tickford and the exact Mk3 Capri that was used as a base for the yellow Corgi model car that was sold in many toy shops.
 
The Zakspeed is a rather special model, it's creator wanted the car to feature 3 points the racing car had, petrol filler on side rear window, a Turbo engine and a side exit exhaust, all these were achieved, both this and the RS were driven to the show in torrential weather, a rather brave feat.
 
Each car on display was pretty much spotless and each model was different and very cool in it's own unique way.
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2020 MG ZS EV Review & Road Test

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Published: Sunday, 03 November 2019 19:41

 
The brand new MG ZS EV, this is one seriously teched out car.
 
It has an electric motor that generates 143ps a 44.5 kW watercooled lithium battery and pulls 0-62 in 8.5 seconds.
 
Now when I say tech this is far advanced to the previous version, for a start the previous model was NCAP 3, this is aimed at being 4 to 5.
 
It has something called MG pilot which gives you active cruise control with traffic jam assist, cross traffic, pedestrian detection amongst other things.
 
It’s comfortable looks great and can perform too, it features an all new cockpit style layout with a floating dashboard.
 
When it comes to range you have 163 miles on urban adventures which increases to 231 in city environments.
 
Lots of charging options too with a home charger, fast charger and a rapid charger it's got 3 driving modes Eco, Normal and Sport also it features regen too, KERS - 3 levels.
 
With grants and MG matched the excite is around £21,500
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PSA and FCA Merger talks underway - LATEST Merger 50/50 going ahead

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Published: Wednesday, 30 October 2019 13:43

Big Automotive news today, the possibility of a massive merger combing the forces Fiat Chrysler Automobiles or FCA and PSA Groupe. That's right, talks are being are held again with the possibility of merger talks with PSA who own Citroen, Peugeot, DS and recently acquired Vauxhall - Opel know, these car companies have been in talks over the last few months previously.

 

FCA has been trying to grow the empire and have held talks with Renault Groupe, talks broke down when neither of the firms could reach an agreement.

 
This merger possibility would build a car giant with a worth of around £40 billiion, a combo of many of world’s biggest car brands. Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Jeep, Maserati, Lancia, Ram, Chrysler - while Groupe PSA who have recently upped their game with vehicles like the
 The French company owns Citroën, DS, Peugeot and Vauxhall-Opel.
 
 
PSA have also expressed interest in JLR, Jaguar Land Rover and also previously held talks with FCA. Carlos Tavares PSA Boss lead the buy of Vauxhall Opel, and is looking to expand the company.
 

PSA issued a statement this morning saying: “Following recent reports on a possible business combination between Groupe PSA and FCA Group, Groupe PSA confirms there are ongoing discussions aimed at creating one of the world’s leading automotive groups.

 

The merger has been approved and FCA and PSA are going in on a 50/50. It'll be interesting to see how this evolves the automotive giant. 

 

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Tokyo Motor Show 2019 Highlights

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Published: Tuesday, 29 October 2019 18:37

Subaru Levorg Prototype

This isn't one we've not attended yet, mind you the cars they unveiled would have made it well worth while.

 
The Tokyo motor show showcases many cars, perfect for the automotive enthusiast, as you probably seen we've got the Subaru Levorg on review currently, well Subaru have just unveiled a brand new Levorg prototype and it looks fabulous ,very sporty it has a big bonnet scoop sporty sloping roof line and it does look like the perfect wagon or estate car as we call it in the UK.
 
The powerful styling and the conceptual design really do work for it and with the chnace of it being powered by a 1.8 Turbo, hopefully a manual gearbox, or an even newer breed of the Lineartronic. The thing with concepts is they change quite radically, with the exception of a few cars including the BMW i8, Subaru make this great, please.
 

New Honda Jazz

Another one of the cars that has interested many is the brand-new Honda Jazz,  it's got some really distinct design styling, love or hate it comes to mind, it's got more of a look the Civic with a more distinct front, it's it's an interesting one it's styling lends it self more to a mini van style it seems to have a more sharper front.

 
It looks like a modern version of the early Jazz, with futuristic tweaks, a bit like the top windows on the new Land Rover Defender echoing the Series 1 design style.
 
 
The New Honda Jazz has gone back to its roots, after two successive generations, the last one we loved mind you it surprised many a car on a back road.
 
It' a cooler looking car, with cabin features incuding more tech and quality materials and a sporty smaller steering wheel, as you'd expect its extremely practical, like the last one then, mind you this one has opted for a two-motor hybrid system great for urban adventures. 
 
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The Subaru Levorg starts at just under £30,000 however this model that we have is the 2L i GT model powered by a flat for Boxer engine coupled to a lineartronic gearbox, an economical impressive drive, as you know by now the lineartronic has advanced since the earlier models this is a great looking practical estate car.

 

 

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More Articles ...

  1. Can I Jetwash my EV and Hybrid?
  2. Updates October 2019 and the Subaru e-Boxer
  3. MG ZS EV 400 mile Road Trip Pt1
  4. Updates October
  5. Peugeot Rifter Review & Road Test
  6. Updates and the Future of Planet Auto
  7. Goblin works garage and Holts blog feature

Planet Auto l The place for the latest car news, car reviews, luxury supercars and highend classics - We feature the finest marques in the world including the Youtube and Instagram famous vehicles including Lamborghini, Ferrari, Bentley, Rolls Royce and Range Rover to name a few. Why not step into their owners lives and find where to see these great cars with our own car show calendar. 

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