Full review: http://www.carbuyer.co.uk/reviews/volkswagen/scirocco/r-coupe/review
The Volkswagen Scirocco R is the most powerful version of the handsome coupe available, offering 261bhp from its 2.0-turbocharged engine. It possesses similar performance figures to the Renault Megane Reanultsport and Ford Focus RS. Retaining the standard model's front wheel drive layout, the Scirocco R sits lower on huge wheels and features a new spoiler and wide-set twin Exhaust pipes- it's instantly recognisable as the top of the range, performance model. The aggresively styled front bumper also features new LED daytime running lights, increasing road presence. The interior has received a similar treatment, featuring sports seats, alloy pedals and lots of very high quality, soft touch materials. It's also beautifully made. For a £1,300 premium buyers can opt for the six-speed twin-clutch DSG gearbox complete with steering wheel-mounted gear-shift paddles.
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Peugeot RCZ review - CarBuyer
Full review: http://www.carbuyer.co.uk/reviews/peugeot/rcz/coupe/review
With its supercar good looks and competitive price, the Peugeot RCZ is a real head-turner. But the most satisfying things about this Audi TT rival are that it's fun to drive, comfortable and relatively cheap to run. Up front it feels spacious, and the boot is a reasonable size, so it's easy to live with day-to-day. It's a 2+2 coupé by name, but you can forget about using the back seats for anyone but small children as they're tiny.
Volkswagen Polo GTI review - CarBuyer
Full review at: http://www.carbuyer.co.uk/reviews/volkswagen/polo/gti-hatchback/review
Climb inside the Volkswagen Polo GTI and you could easily mistake it for a Golf GTI, such is the upmarket feel of the cabin. Build quality is exceptionally high for a supermini and the cockpit is loaded with technology. Mounted on the back of the steering wheel, twin paddles operate the seven-speed dual clutch gearbox and VW's clever traction control system sorts out the handling in sharp corners. The Polo GTI is a very desirable supermini but shares it's running gear with the cheaper Skoda Fabia vRS and SEAT Ibiza CUPRA, both offering similar specifications for less money. Under the bonnet the Polo GTI has a 1.4 TSI litre petrol engine which is both supercharged and turbocharged helping to provide impressive pace across the rev range without harming fuel consumption. Producing 178bhp, it catapults the Polo GTI from 0-62mph in a brisk 6.9 seconds.
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Volkswagen Golf GTI review - CarBuyer
See the full review here: http://www.carbuyer.co.uk/reviews/volkswagen/golf/gti-hatchback/review
The latest Volkswagen Golf GTI is a lesson to other hot hatch makers in design, build quality and image. Factor in impressive performance and genuine day-to-day practicality, and it's no wonder the famous GTI badge still proves so popular. It's available as a three or five-door hatchback, and is based on the standard Golf. The GTI has recently faced tough competition in the form of the Renaultsport Megane 265 and Ford Focus ST. The 2.0-litre turbocharged engine has 207bhp in standard guise, while the limited-run Edition 35 comes with 232bhp, although that's not as much power as the Megane or Focus. Performance is strong and the handling sporty, but it's more comfortable than its rivals and boasts a high-quality interior.
Nissan 370Z review - CarBuyer
Full review: http://www.carbuyer.co.uk/reviews/nissan/370z/coupe/review
The Nissan 370Z is a performance bargain, but its heavyweight controls won't be to everyone's tastes. The rear-wheel-drive Nissan 370Z outguns rivals like the Porsche Cayman and Audi TT with impressive performance for the price. It's powered by a 322bhp 3.7-litre V6, and manages 0-62mph in 5.3 seconds -- so its performance comfortably matches its extrovert looks. A driving enthusiasts' car, the 370Z demands skill and commitment, yet it's not so brawny that it's a difficult or intimidating car to drive. Recently updated with a 'GT' special edition that got a range of updates designed to make it more comfortable and refined, with revised suspension and more kit.
Alfa Romeo MiTo review - CarBuyer
Full review: http://www.carbuyer.co.uk/reviews/alfa-romeo/mito/hatchback/review
With all the style Alfa Romeo is famed for, a wide choice of economical engines and an impressive list of personalisation options, it's no wonder that the MiTo is Alfa's best-selling model. There's even a good deal of space inside - enough for four adults at a push. However, it lacks the comfort and overall build quality to beat the Audi A1 and MINI for upmarket feel. Some of the cabin plastics are too hard and look cheap. The engine range offers great economy, though, which offsets the MiTo's relatively high purchase price. The MultiAir petrol engines impress with their performance and smoothness.
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Volkswagen Golf MK7 review - CarBuyer
Full review: http://www.carbuyer.co.uk/reviews/volkswagen/golf/hatchback/review
The VW Golf is the benchmark that all family hatchbacks, such as the Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra and Renault Megane, measure themselves against. This seventh-generation caris up to 100kg lighter than the one it replaces, despite being longer and wider and offering more boot space and interior room. It's slightly lower, too, which gives it a sportier stance to go with its sharper styling. The interior has been completely redesigned, with high-quality materials and lots of new technology -- including the option of a vast eight-inch touchscreen and a system that parks the car for you. Two diesel and two petrol engines are available, all of which are smooth and quiet on the road, along with six-speed manual and six-speed automatic gearboxes. Many will think it's design is a little tame - inside and out - but that's a small price to pay for the only car you'll ever need.
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Infiniti FX SUV - CarBuyer
For the full review: http://www.carbuyer.co.uk/reviews/infiniti/fx/sports-utility-vehicle/review
There is no slow FX in the line-up, with huge petrol and diesel engines being the order of the day. Both petrol models boast 0-62mph times under 7 seconds, with the quickest even dipping under the six second barrier. A stiff set-up means it corners well too but it's worth taking a test drive to see if the ride is soft enough to live with on a daily basis.
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New Audi A4 review - CarBuyer
Read our full review of the Audi A4 here: http://www.carbuyer.co.uk/reviews/audi/a4/saloon/review
With a wide range of petrol and diesel engines on offer, a huge list of options and a choice of different suspension set-ups, Audi A4 buyers have plenty of choice. For the ultimate in comfort and low running costs, go for the 2.0 TDI in SE trim, but for a sportier drive the 2. TFSI turbo petrol model in S line trim is the best bet - although you'll need to ask yourself if you can live with the stiff suspension all the time. Whichever model you choose, you'll be rewarded with an excellent all-rounder, and as soon as you get behind the wheel and experience the high quality interior, you'll realise why the A4 is so popular.
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Vauxhall Astra VXR (Opel Astra OPC) review - CarBuyer
The new Vauxhall Astra VXR and it's most powerful front-wheel-drive hot hatch currently one sale because under the bonnet there's a 2.0-litre turbo with 276bhp that's good for 0-62mph in just 5.9 seconds.
The VXR is based on beautiful Astra GTC which is a very good starting point. However, Vauxhall has beefed it up with a muscular body kit, huge alloy wheels and a rear spoiler. There's also a mechanical limited slip differential for improved traction when exciting corners while Vauxhall's HiPer Strut front suspension is designed to quell torque steer.
Porsche 911 (991) review - CarBuyer
Read the full review here: http://www.carbuyer.co.uk/reviews/porsche/911/coupe/review
One of the longest running sports cars in existence, the latest Porsche 911- code-named the 991, will go on sale in the UK from December 2011. Featuring a lower roof, more bulbous headlights and sharper tail-lights the front track is also wider, improving handling. The engines have received several tweaks too. The standard Carrera's 3.6-litre flat six cylinder engine is replaced by a smaller 3.4 that is more efficient but produces more power, at 345bhp. The 3.8-litre found in the Carrera S now produces 394bhp. Performance when fitted with the PDK twin-clutch gearbox and optional Sport Chrono Pack is very impressive. The standard Carrera sprints from 0-62mph in 4.4 seconds whilst the Carrera S can nail the benchmark in just 4.1 seconds. The interior has received a major makeover that is inspired by the Panamera, but with fewer switches. Most owners will opt for the PDK gearbox but Porsche also offer a seven-speed manual option - the first of it's kind in a production car.
Bentley Continental GT Speed review - CarBuyer
Full review: http://www.carbuyer.co.uk/reviews/bentley/continental/coupe/review
The Bentley Continental GT is a stylish, luxury performance car that is designed to carry up to four people in supreme comfort at speeds of up to 200mph. Boasting sharper styling, and with a considerable weight saving, the second generation Bentley Continental GT has slightly better fuel consumption and lower emissions than the outgoing model. The luxury interior maintains a sporting theme combining hand-crafted wood, leather and aluminium. The GT comes with a choice of two engines, a tweaked version of the proven twin-turbo 6.0-litre W12 unit, which is available in the standard GT and the even more powerful GT Speed. Then there's a 4.0-litre, twin-turbo V8 that returns combined economy of 27mpg - 10mpg more than the W12. Driving all four wheels through a six or eight speed automatic gearbox, performance is very impressive. Competition comes in the form of Aston Martin's Virage and the Ferrari California.
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Renault Clio 2013 review - CarBuyer
Full review: http://www.carbuyer.co.uk/reviews/renault/clio/hatchback/review
The Renault Clio is now into its fourth generation, and this latest version is more stylish than ever. Unlike the previous model, it's only available as a five-door, but hidden rear handles give it a sporty three-door profile -- the best of both worlds. The interior has also been overhauled, with a striking new centre console that features a seven-inch, tablet-like screen, but material quality on the doors and dashbaord is passable at best. To make the Clio your own, a vast array of colours and personalisation options are available, both inside and out. Two engines -- an enthusiastic 89bhp three-cylinder 900cc TCe petrol engine and a 1.5-litre dCi diesel with CO2 emissions of only 83g/km -- are brand new additions to the range.
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Renault Twizy review - CarBuyer
Full review: http://www.carbuyer.co.uk/reviews/renault/twizy/hatchback/review
The electric Renault Twizy city car offers urban drivers something genuinely different -- if you can live with its inherent limitations. The electric Renault Twizy is a revolution in personal transport. The futuristically styled car offers space for two, sitting in tandem, and its small size means it is perfect for driving around and parking in town. It is charged via your home supply: 3.5 hours will see it completely topped up, at a cost of around £1. This will allow a claimed range of 34-62 miles depending on the demands of the traffic conditions. Although the futuristic, 'open-plan' styling may be something of an acquired taste, the innovative Twizy starts to make more sense if you think of it as a scooter with a roof rather than a car with, in its most basic form, open sides -- and no heater. In the UK, the Twizy will be called the Renault Twizy 80 ('80' refers to its top speed in km/h).