Archive for February, 2012
Our cars : Rover SD1 lives to fight another year
Keith Adams I don’t know about you guys but, when it comes to the annual MoT test on my cars, I always feel a great sense of dread on their approach – as the day nears, I start screwing myself up wondering what on earth is going to fail and how much is it going [...]
February 29, 2012
· 
Keith Adams · 
11 Comments
News : Jaguar XF Sportbrake revealed
The new Jaguar XF Sportbrake has been unveiled ahead of its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show. Sharing its underpinnings with the XF saloon, the Sportbrake’s overall length grows by just 5mm, its weight by less 70kg and its chassis structure matches the strength of the conventional XF. These characteristics mean the Sportbrake can [...]
February 29, 2012
· Keith Adams · 18 Comments
Unsung heroes : Vauxhall Astra Mk1
Keith Adams continues AROnline‘s series devoted to celebrating the great and the good that used to be familiar UK street furniture. Who remembers the Astra Mk1, a blisteringly capable, fun-to-drive small car that redefined Vauxhall’s standing in the small car field? We do, and we love ‘em! A quantum leap The Astra was a landmark [...]
February 28, 2012
· Keith Adams · 66 Comments
Our cars : MINI First – 2000 miles on
Since arriving on the fleet on Christmas Day, the MINI First racks up the miles without missing a beat. Keith Adams wonders if this is what new car ownership is always like… painless? It’s a MINI delight While Mike Humble enjoys ‘the only car he’ll ever need’, his Rover 75, we’re also enjoying something of [...]
February 27, 2012
· Keith Adams · 22 Comments
News : Jaguar XF Sportbrake revealed pre-Geneva?
Keith Adams The Jaguar XF looks set to cement its position as the most desirable entrant in the executive sector with the addition of the Sportbrake – estate to you and me – sooner than we thought. The latest images of the much-anticipated five-door Jaguar XF – assuming they are genuine – have surfaced on [...]
February 26, 2012
· Keith Adams · 48 Comments
News : Evoque drops its top at Geneva
Keith Adams Land Rover, it seems, is going niche-hunting. The well-received Range Rover Evoque, winner of the AROnline Reader car of the year, has lifted its lid for the Geneva show – and you can guarantee that this ‘concept’ will be leading to a production version very soon. Built very much to test the public’s [...]
February 24, 2012
· Keith Adams · 35 Comments
Sales Talk : The boom and bust of the Swiss Frank
Mike Humble recounts a strange and troubled soul he once worked with. While promising to make no reference to the fact that creating an essay… is rather like making love to a beautiful woman! One of my all time favourite TV shows since reaching adulthood was The Fast Show. Readers of a younger generation may [...]
February 24, 2012
· Mike Humble · 45 Comments
News : Lyonheart, ‘made in England’ E-type remix
The LYONHEART K, an all-new, British sports car has been launched, evoking memories of the Jaguar E-type and the founder of the company which built it. Classic Factory, the Swiss design company, recently enjoyed a huge worldwide success with its modern interpretation of the legendary Jaguar E-type, designed by Robert Palm in collaboration with Bo [...]
February 22, 2012
· Keith Adams · 47 Comments
Unsung Heroes : Datsun 120Y (Sunny B210)
Mark Mastrototaro casts a fond eye over one of the UK’s favourite imports during the 1970s, the Datsun 120Y. Why was it so popular? Striking British factories, waiting lists for Morrises, and an increasing disillusionment with home-made products meant the Sunny’s success in the UK was something of a home goal for the Brits. But [...]
February 22, 2012
· Keith Adams · 81 Comments
Our Cars : Project 75 – The coming of (old) age?
Mike Humble hits a milestone and decides enough is enough with changing cars akin to changing razor blades. The project 75 seems to be here to stay! A carriage clock charm of it’s own According to the phrase ‘life begins at 40’ but I can truly say that I feel no different to when I [...]
February 22, 2012
· Mike Humble · 46 Comments
Blog : Middle Eastern MG encounter
Keith Adams One of the frustrating aspects of my past few months’ captivity due to my broken bones has been my inability to travel. Don’t get me wrong, I like being at home, working in the office and taking gentle strolls in the green and pleasant meadows of middle England, but I love travelling more. [...]
February 21, 2012
· Keith Adams · 58 Comments
Blog : Clubbed to death
Kevin Davis The Princess Club 100 Special is surely the rarest of rare Princesses, rarer, even, than the much sought after Wolseley. The Club 100 was an internal Austin-Morris product brought about by the need to provide a car for their top 100 performing dealer principals, known as the ‘Club 100’. Rewards typically included holidays [...]
February 21, 2012
· Keith Adams · 35 Comments
Features : Motor insurance – getting to know you
AROnline’s very own insurance expert and man in the industry, Mark Mastrototaro, explains how insurance works, and why it sometimes seems unfair when your policy renewal comes in and it’s not as little as you’d expect. He joins the team to answer your insurance questions. Read, digest and get ready with your questions! Frequently asked [...]
February 21, 2012
· Keith Adams · 44 Comments
News : MINI Clubvan unveiled ahead of Geneva
The MINI Clubvan Concept will be officially unveiled at Geneva – and is the last spin-off from the existing car, which has been in production since 2007. It promises to be a great-driving city van with an added dash of style. The MINI Clubman-based concept car has an increased load-carrying capability, and opens the (club)door [...]
February 19, 2012
· Keith Adams · 85 Comments
News : MG5 latest images break cover on Facebook
Keith Adams Facebook user Morris Garages, based in Azerbaijan has posted what appears to be a set of images for an MG5, which is being PDI’d for the showroom. These are the clearest images yet of some of the interior features, as well as the under-bonnet view. With its smooth and inoffensive 1.5-litre power unit, [...]
February 18, 2012
· Keith Adams · 85 Comments
Unsung Heroes : Rover 420 Tourer
AROnline takes a another look at the decent metal which once adorned the highways and by-ways of our green and pleasant land. Mike Humble again, snatches the keys to one of Rovers finer cars. Far from being the most spacious or cheapest hold all on the market, this one had that vital ingredient that placed [...]
February 18, 2012
· Mike Humble · 50 Comments
Not their finest hour : Morris Marina and Ital
We take another lighthearted look at some of the cars which will be forever remembered for all the wrong reasons. Mike Humble takes another journey back in time and recalls the car which should have put him off BL related products for life, but instead, got him hooked…. The Morris Marina and Ital. Practical classic, [...]
February 17, 2012
· Mike Humble · 87 Comments
First Drive : Jaguar XKR-S Convertible
Keith Adams Speaking to Jaguar engineers, one thing that they’re particularly proud of is just how little separates the XKR-S Coupe and the Convertible dynamically. They’ll tell you that it does what it needs to at the Nurburgring Nordschliefe, and can complete the lap in a time that starts with a ‘seven’. So, seriously capable. [...]
February 16, 2012
· Keith Adams · 22 Comments
Unsung heroes : Rover 2300 and 2600
Mike Humble once again, casts a spotlight onto the many cars that seemed commonplace on the UK roads in this ever popular section. The Rover 3500 SD1 is without a doubt, a legend and even today, still held in high regard, but what about the six pot siblings of the 2300 and 2600? has time been a healer for the lesser [...]
February 13, 2012
· Mike Humble · 68 Comments
Unsung heroes : Jaguar XJ40
Keith Adams celebrates yet another car that currently resides in the doldrums of the Bangernomics world But the Jaguar XJ40 was possibly the best car in the world when it was launched… even if it set Jaguar down a course of Retro design that lasted until 2008! Credit where it’s due Right now, Jaguar is [...]
February 12, 2012
· Keith Adams · 66 Comments
