Cars

Audi Q5

 

If the Audi Q5 is not looking in showroom gleaming condition that is because it has been doing what its designed to do.  In this case it has been driven around the country lanes of the South Downs to visit some of the wonderful shooting country for which the Cowdray Estate is renowned, including the famous ’chalk-pits’ drive at Cocking.  Be assured that the Navarra Blue paintwork with black leather Alcantara sport front seats is a very pleasing combination, in fact the Audi Q5 delivers on the ‘looks front’ in abundance.

Audi have combined clean elegant lines on this 2017 model, having made it slightly larger than the previous version and added more technology – there’s a head up display, adaptive LED headlamps and the Virtual Cockpit.  However, larger doesn’t mean heavier – in reality due to the use of aluminium throughout the body work this Audi Q5 is 90 kgs lighter resulting in better performance, braking, handling and efficiency.

Better efficiency by way of fuel consumption and lower CO2 has been achieved by their latest development of the company’s famous all-wheel-drive system.  It works by allowing the engine to drive just the front wheels most of the time. When the extra grip from all-wheel drive is needed due to changing conditions, power is sent to the rear wheels via two clutches – one mounted to the car’s gearbox, the other to the rear axle.  This takes only 200 milliseconds for power to flow to the rear and shift the engine’s torque between all four wheels to keep you pointing in a straight line.  Not only does this help improve fuel economy but it helps reduce unnecessary wear and tear on the engine and gearbox.

So all this is good for everyday driving but as mentioned earlier, we put the Audi Q5 through its paces off road and the efficiency and comfort was improved by engaging the optional air suspension which allows you to raise the ride height.

These new technologies seem to have worked as the 2017 Audi Q5’s combined MPG is officially up by 16%, while CO2 emissions are down by 15% – all this and better acceleration to boot.

Audi Q5 dashboard

  • Audi Q5 2.0 TDI 190 Quattro S tronic

Having driven many Audis it is reassuring to find the Multi Media Interface (MMI) is very much the same across all models although with added sophistication on the higher spec cars.  On this Q5 there is a large central screen with a controller on the central console and a control pad with adorning buttons enabling easy navigation through the myriad systems – definitely need to read the owner’s handbook to discover all its functions!

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Audi A3 Cabriolet in front of Hotel Tresanton St Mawes

We drove to Cornwall recently in the improved Audi A3 Cabriolet with the popular 2.0 TDI 150 PS engine beneath the bonnet and the S line chassis.  In sporty red it certainly looked the business and its size was perfect for driving down the narrow lanes of Cornwall combining style and function with a big dollop of fun thrown in.

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Audi S8 Sport

There are few cars which surprise and delight in equal measure, or set the pulse racing, but the AUDI S8 Sport is one of them.

The Audi S8 is the zenith of the Audi range, and has the acceleration of a Ferrari, and the comfort of a Rolls-Royce, making for an impressive combination.  That such power is disguised by Audi’s restrained styling makes it even more unexpected, and therefore impressive, and this performance is matched by a luxurious interior in keeping with the top-end of the Audi range.

We actually drove the S8 ‘Sport,’  but since then, Audi have introduced the S8 Plus, which compared to the Audi R8 V10 sports car’s capabilities is just four-tenths of a second slower to 62mph and only 8.5mph off its top speed!  But that delight is for another day.

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In December, Aston Martin Works announced the DB4 GT Continuation Project, which will make use of the remaining chassis numbers from the original production to create 25 incredible track-only cars. Designed in 1959, only eight DB4 GTs were built to a lightweight specification. This project will combine traditional techniques with modern technology to create an exceptionally capable car, while remaining faithful to the original.

 

EXPERIENCE DB4 GT

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Jaguar F Pace R Sport 2.0d 180PS AWD

We recently had an ‘Embarasse des Riches’, when we were lent two Jaguars to review ‘back to back’, i.e. on two consecutive weeks, and the models in question were their top of the range saloon, the XJ, and the F-Pace SUV, both designed for entirely separate markets,  and both designed to take on any opposition, including that from BMW and Mercedes, who both have similar models aimed at the same markets.

Jaguar XJ R Sport SWB 3.0 V6 300PS at Ockenden Manor Cuckfield

However, we believe that in both cases, Jaguar have the advantage in looks and performance, and in value for money, so will be hard to beat. They also possess that indefinable quality, called Style.

All this is the result of a sustained investment programme by owner TATA, who have performed wonders in bringing Jaguar, and Land Rover, into the 21st century and making both ’marques’ potential world-beaters by focusing on specific cars for specific markets.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy our reviews of both models.

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Audi A5 Cabriolet 2.0 TFSI Quattro SE 230 PS S Tronic

Just over a year ago, we took an Audi A5 Cabriolet down to Cornwall for 5 days to put it through its paces, but the weather was appalling for all five days, so we did not experience the full pleasure of driving a convertible as not once were we able to have the roof down!

So, I contacted Audi again and explained that we would like to write a review of the latest Audi A5 Quattro Cabriolet, and they very kindly agreed to let us revisit this car.  The model we were lent was the A5 cabriolet, 2.0 TF SI Quattro SE 230 PS S Tronic finished in metallic Monsoon grey with a black roof and red fine Nappa leather interior.  The many extras increased the cost from a basic price of £37,750 to £60,940 on the road which may seem a lot but in comparison with its rivals, from Mercedes Benz and BMW it is cheaper and in my opinion a very stylish, luxury convertible that looks as good on the inside as it does from the outside.

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Jaguar XE SE 163PS Diesel Auto Saloon at Luton Hoo Hotel

We were given a Jaguar XE to review and to give it a thorough test we took it to Luton Hoo Hotel on the Bedfordshire, Herefordshire border to put it through its paces.

Just looking at this sports saloon and its pleasing streamlined stylish body gives a clue of what lies within.  Jaguar have excelled themselves with this model, the interior is comfortable and spacious with gloss black finishes to the door trims and their signature ‘Riva Hoop’ sweeping above the instrument panel and taking pride of place in the sweep of the fascia is the 8 inch touchscreen infotainment system – apologies here for such a ghastly word but I suppose it explains what this does – which brings fast access to all the car’s features and functions.  And on the automatic models, which our car was, is Jaguar’s unique rotary drive selector which rises up from the central console – a particular favourite of ours.

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Subaru Outback 2.00 SE Diesel 5-doorEstate

The first thing I noticed about the SUBARU OUTBACK 2.00 Diesel SE Premium was something simple, but which brought me great joy, which is that there is an illuminated red circle around the ignition, showing the driver where to insert the key; very simple, but very effective, but you would be amazed at how many luxury cars have the ignition in the hardest to reach recess, but with no light to help you find it!

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We recently decided to road test a sporty hatchback with style, and  alighted on the Alfa Romeo Giulietta which offers a good balance of stylish design, and impressive performance, all  in keeping  with the Marque.

We had the ‘Sportiva’, with a manual gearbox, which did not inspire us until we switched to ‘Sport’ mode which made life a lot more fun, and I would leave it in ‘Sport’ mode if you want to get the most out of the engine.

We chose the Diesel option, pioneered by Fiat, which comes in 104bhp 1.6 diesel; and a 134bhp, 168bhp 2,0 litre, six speed manual gearbox is standard on all models, and some are available with Alfa’s dual clutch automatic transmission which they call ‘TCT’.

Alfa-Romeo-with-TCT-Transmission

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When we were planning our recent visit to the iconic Badrutt’s Palace Hotel in St. Moritz, click here  to read the article, we wanted a car which could live up to the occasion, and we considered all the ‘usual suspects’, but the more we thought about it, the more we were drawn towards one of our favourite Sports cars, the Maserati Gran Cabrio 4-seater which we had road tested a year ago, and loved.

So, we approached Maserati Cars, North Europe, to see if they would help, and they immediately embraced the idea, and offered us their stunning new Maserati GranCabrio MC.

Maserati-GranCabrio-MC-at-Preshaw

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