Estate Benefits? The Mazda 6 Tourer
The Mazda 6 Tourer : A Woman’s Eye Car Review
There was a time when going on holiday with the family meant loading everyone and everything up in an old estate car, pointing the car in the direction of the nearest seaside and heading off.
Life (and cars) have become a little more complex. We have MPV’s, 4 x 4’s, SUV’s and Crossovers, and families used to constant entertainment on long journeys. So where does the estate car fit in to the market? We test drove the new Mazda 6 Tourer for a surprisingly luxurious taste of nostalgia and comfort.
Mazda , literally meaning the ‘god of wisdom, intelligence and harmony’, have combined all of these qualities to produce a regal feeling car on the inside, with a slightly space-age demeanour on the exterior, particularly at the rear end. Handling is light and noise levels (minus children) are subdued: the overall impression is of a smooth quiet ride, with a touch of class.
The distinctive design of the Mazda definitely falls in to the ‘love it or hate it’ category: if you like your estate cars solid and Mumsy (Volvo) or sexy and gutsy (Mercedes/BMW) the Mazda might offer a surprising alternative (cutting edge and green). The Mazda 6 saloon has been shortlisted for World Car Design of the Year and is soon to showcase at Milan Design Week. It really is the Picasso of the driving world, rather than a Turner.
Cabin space in the Mazda 6 Tourer is plentiful and boot space can be extended by folding the rear seats down. As with most estate cars, comfort for the middle passenger in the rear seats is almost always compromised by the raised middle seat section. (As a point of some interest, particularly to parents, some research has shown that positioning any passenger in the middle rear seats can be up to 43% safer, as this area is far less likely to suffer direct impact on collision).
Safety features include abundant airbags as standard and Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) which enlists an automatic braking mechanism on detection of an object in front of the vehicle. There is also an automatic screen display warning of icy roads and hazardous driving conditions (if you haven’t already managed to slip up on your way to the car) and the option for a rear vehicle monitoring system, to alert you to cars approaching from the rear.
The overall winner, in terms of choosing this particular estate over others, or indeed, the multitude of SUV’s on offer, must be its fuel economy. With a combination of a lightweight body and efficient engine combustion and transmission, the Mazda 6 Tourer can achieve 64.2 mpg (combined) and splutters out only 116g per km of CO2 emissions: a rare feat for an able body carrier.
If you’re not in love with the high riding position of an SUV or 4 x 4, and like the feel of a saloon car, but with a bit more space, this estate car is for you.
Our one niggle with this particular car-the ignition button (key-free) is slightly obscured by the steering wheel.
Our Test Drive Model: Mazda 6 2.2D Tourer SE-L
Price (from £21,265) This model: £23,945
Competitors:
Ford Mondeo
VW Passat
Colours Red, Blue, Grey, Black, White
Safety Features Smart City Brake Support
Rear Vehicle Monitoring System (optional or standard)?***
NCAP Safety Rating:
MPG Combined: 64.2 mpg
CO2 Emissions 116g per Km
A Me-Mo Car Review
Labels: car review mazda 6 tourer, car reviews, estate cars, estate cars mazda 6 tourer, mazda 6 tourer, me-mo.co.uk, womens online driving magazine, womentalking.co.uk
Citroen C1 Woman's Eye Car Review: To Infinity and Beyond!
If Buzz Lightyear didn’t have wings, you can bet your bottom dollar he’d be cruising around in a Citroen C1-the champion of the City Car market-and the economy Space Ranger of choice, especially for first time drivers.
The C1 comes in 2 engines- the 1 litre petrol and 1.4 litre diesel and at a length of just 3.4 metres is easy to park and has a compact turning circle. But perhaps most importantly the C1 is not a slap-happy gas guzzler: at an average of 65.7 mpg infinity no longer feels like an impossible destination. The 1 litre petrol is also exempt from road fund licence fees, coming in at 99g/km for CO2 emissions.
And don’t expect to see the Wood(y) for the trees...It’s quite zippy too (0-62 in 12.3 secs) : the C1has a top speed of 98 mph...which is quite sufficient for an urban sprinter-thanks.
The C1 we had on loan was in Boticelli Blue: a true renaissance of the earlier C1 version, replete with day running lights, emergency brake assist, isofix anchor points (for child safety seats), electronic brakeforce distribution and csc (corner stability control).
The C1 is also lightyears ahead on safety features: with abs airbags and optional ESP (in this case: Electronic Stability Programme - an electronic device that corrects the path of a vehicle by detecting loss of adherence of the wheels to the road, applying braking accordingly for skid control). It scores 4 out of 5 stars on the NCAP rating-so is one of the safest cars in its class.
The dash controls are rounded and retro and, if I had to be picky, I wasn’t keen on the white plastic surround on a couple of the dials, but the slinky leather steering wheels available on EGS models more than make up for this little misdemeanour. Storage space in the boot is very limited-but you can’t have it all ways: the rear two seats fit two people in comfort and a larger boot would only compromise this arrangement.
Price: Best price seen new: £6788 Leasing: from £99 per month (deposit of £999)
Engines: 3 and 5 door versions with a choice of 2 engines- the 1 litre petrol and 1.4 litre diesel
Colour Options: 2 greys 2 blues one red one black one white option
Competitors : Peugeot 107; Toyota Aygo; VW up!
CO2 emmissions- between 99-109 gkm
Fuel efficiency 61-64 mph petrol 69 mph diesel
Desirability Perfect learner or starter car and a great city runaround...and change from £7000!
This article is also reproduced at: http://www.womentalking.co.uk/ -the U.K.'s great online women's magazine
Ruthie at
www.me-mo.co.uk
A Me-Mo Car ReviewLabels: car accessories, car reviews, Citroen c1, city car, girls car accessories, me-mo, womens online driving magazine
(The Only Way is) up!!
Volkswagen’s new supermini (the up!) comes with a lot of exclamation marks. Truly the car of the texting generation , my loan car had Black! written on the side, in case I was unsure (oh, alright, I’m cheating-minus the exclamation mark). But, with up! as the starting point, there is a tendency to see everything in terms of slightly hysterical pronouncements (LOL!!!)
My up! was both big and clever and beautiful (on the inside) with lots of cabin and storage space, gorgeous faux-leather seats and fantastic all-round visibility. In fact, the type of view I should imagine you have from the driving seat of a cross between an ice-cream van and a London cab. It’s a punchy little car too- I certainly wasn’t going to be selling any ice-creams going at the speed the up! could take me (could maybe have shifted a few 99’s on the inclines though). Cornering was a dream too: with its’ wide wheelbase the up! feels incredibly stable and solid, with great suspension. Rear seat space was also fantastic: a small car that really does carry four people in comfort.
VW has announced that the up! has been voted 2012 World Car of the Year, from a pool of 34 cars by a panel of 62 of the top automotive journalists from around the globe (I counted 3 women amongst them!) based on merit, value, safety, environmental impact, significance, and emotional appeal...........and they do have a point-it’s a gorgeous little car to drive, although with its boxy shape, it’s lacking a little in aesthetic appeal from the outside.
An identity crisis? Who? Me? Or the Car?
I pride myself on being able to identify most cars at 50 paces ...but I was having real problems trying to spot like-minded drivers in their ups! (has anyone thought of a plural for up!?). You’re not going to get any rushes of comradely mutual appreciation in the up! (a la Beetle), and smiling knowingly at a fellow driver in their-oh No! It’s a Seat Mii (have they just swapped badges?) does nothing for your sense of brand solidarity. And then I caught myself heading straight for a Black Skoda Citigo parked next to me in the multi storey....the skinny is, however, that an upgraded GT version of the up! is to be launched onto the UK market in 2013, which will inevitably set it a class apart from the herd.
Listen up! VW engineering boffins ...here are some picky bits: the doors were clunky and not easy to close: on nearly every occasion I had to return to re-shut my driver’s door- I wouldn’t have appreciated this much with a screaming infant in tow. But is this car being marketed at us gals? Um...there was no vanity mirror on the driver’s side (thought that habit had died a sexist death) and no dual controls for the front windows. Here are some pointers for car designers on the desirability of front window dual controls:
Sometimes a gal driver likes to open the passenger window because:
A. She doesn’t want her (up!)-do to be blasted from here to kingdom come
B. Her small (or disabled) passenger might not be too adept at the controls themselves
C. She might just want to stop to ask for directions...(hopefully to a VW showroom)
up! (Yours!) from : £7995 for 3 door and around £8375 for 5 door version
What we drove was the :
up! black 1.0-litre 75 PS 5spd manual Basic ‘on the road’ recommended retail price* £11,305.00
Engine capacity (litres / cc) 1.0 / 999 (3 cylinders, 12 valves)
Top speed (mph) 106
0-62 mph (seconds) 13.2
Fuel economy (mpg) Urban – 47.9; Extra-urban – 70.6; Combined – 60.1
CO2 emissions (g/km) 108
Insurance group (1-50) 2E
Warranty 3 years / 60,000 miles; 3 years paint; 12 years body protection
Breakdown assistance 1 year Volkswagen Assistance (UK & Europe)
Competitors
Fiat Panda, Hyundai i10, Toyota Aygo. Seat Mii, Skoda Citigo
Desirability
I’d like a red one with cream seats please (otherwise known as a strawberry split)...but it looks like we’re limited to black or white...more colours please VW!!!!
A Me-Mo Car Review
Ruthie at
www.me-mo.co.uk
This article is also reproduced at: http://www.womentalking.co.uk/ -the U.K.'s great online women's magazine
Labels: 2012 world car of the year, car reviews, me-mo, VW up, Vw up review, womens online driving magazine
Eeny Meeny Twizy Mo
Eeny Meeny Twizy Mo......Hmmm.....Which Car to Wear Today?
Thursday 24th May was SMMT Open Day- a chance for motoring journalists to sample some of the most cutting edge and exciting new cars around. Ruthie took a little dip into the motoring pool of plenty, and this is what she found....
Renault Twizy ...fits like a glove
Twizy is the first-ever fully electric urban compact two-seater (note-there is no reference to the actual word ‘car’ there) and was available for test driving on the day. Renault’s commitment in 2009 to make electric vehicles available to the public by 2012 comes to fruition with the launch of the Twizy.
The Twizy appears to be a non-hybrid (as it’s fully electric) hybrid between a car and a four wheeled scooter. Being the first fully electric vehicle to reach the UK market, it’s been making quite a buzz...literally.
Don’t be tempted to put your feet down, Flintstones style: when the Twizy gets up a head of steam (powered by its 220lb lithium-ion battery) it’s quite a little goer (hills excepted). The sides of the car are open to the elements –lovely on a warm May day, but maybe not as enticing in the British winter. The spacious front seat (yes-that is singular-forget about spatial awareness on either side of you...you are it!) takes priority over the rear passenger seat from where you are likely to hear the muffled musings of your somewhat strapped for space passenger...But who cares? Ask them to run alongside (if they can manage a top speed of 47mph) and put your shopping there instead. You’re saving the environment and your pocket; in fact fit your house with solar panels and you can recharge your batteries for free!
Verdict: A gem of a city EcoCar, for short, fun runabouts.
To assure you of its feasibility check out: http://www.nextgreencar.com/electric-cars/charging-points.php for charging points for electric vehicles : there are many more than you might think. You can also put your Twizy on charge from domestic sockets-average full recharge time: 3 1/2 hours
Safety: Dual seat belts and a driver airbag
Economy: Exempt from road tax. Range: 62 miles per full charge. Battery lease cost: £45 per month
Price: Starts at £6690 incl VAT (Scissor doors come as extras: plus £545)
Eco-friendliness: CO2 emmissions: 62g/km
A Me-Mo Car Review
Ruthie at www.me-mo.co.uk
This article is also reproduced at: http://www.womentalking.co.uk/ -the U.K.'s great online women's magazine
Labels: car reviews, electric vehicle, me-mo, Renault twist, smmt open day, Twist, womens online driving magazine
You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby! The Fiat 500 1.2 Pop Convertible : A Woman’s Eye Car Review
Fiat 500 1.2 Pop Convertible: La Dolce Vita!
Back in the day (circa 1980) my friend’s first car was a Fiat 500, which we rather unkindly referred to as ‘The Hairdryer’ (I was never sure whether this was because it sounded like one, or because it did, actually, dry your hair). The new cutesy revamped Fiat 500 1.2 Pop convertible can certainly dry your hair, but we wouldn’t dare to demean it by comparing it to a hairdressing aid. This body dysmorphic beauty (it thinks it’s tiny on the outside...but it’s actually quite a whopper when you climb in) provides plenty of space in the front two seats. It’s a real high rider-you feel positioned much higher up in the front-all the better to admire the sexy leather steering wheel and matching colour dash, to get better road visibility, and to feel generally more in control. Recent research in the U.S. has suggested that up to 40% of women sit closer than the advised 10” minimum distance from the steering wheel in order to minimise injury in a crash, because they feel more in control of the car in that position: car manufacturers please take note on the ergonomics of women-friendly car design...Fiat has definitely got this one cracked.
Whilst the driving position is a joy, the gearstick must have been designed by a time and motion expert; it’s one swift nail-saving movement away from the steering wheel, at the lower level of the dash. Gear changes are slight, smooth and easy, with two small indentations either side of the gearstick for better grip- a definite plus for learner or new drivers.
Fiat’s ‘Blue and Me’
TM handsfree comes as standard with the Pop 1.2 with optional TomTom capability, so there’s no need to be tempted to manually (and dangerously!) use your mobile on the move. There is also a Dualdrive function that can be activated to create a lighter 'power-assisted' steering system to aid manoevres such as parking.
Suspension is good-but you certainly know that you’re driving...on a road...with bumps in it. In fact, the experience of driving the Fiat 500 was not unlike that of a very pleasant fairground ride (absolutely without any scary bits). This car shouts Fun Fun Fun...all the way to the Dodgems. And with a 5 star NCAP safety rating there’d be no contest in the Dodgem arena. Although we probably could’ve done with a bit of a Bumper Car nudge on uphill climbs (it can look undignified using a full-body rocking motion to get the car up to the top....must remember to change down a gear next time.) But, do check out the TwinAir which can deliver up to 23% more power from a 1.2 engine.
The convertible comes with a £3000 premium on the regular model price-but it does also include air-conditioning (the irony of this was not lost on the Me-Mo team) and the roof can be retracted, whilst in motion, at speeds up to 37mph: a bonus if you need to cover up fast. The roof peels back (sardine can style) leaving the roof rails and pillars in place- so you get all the fun of the air- with less of the risk that most cabriolets might present. Motoring up the A35, my daughter, sitting in the back, said that it took her breath away.... ‘Ooooh, I know darling, its fab isn’t it?’ ‘No, Mum-I can’t actually breathe...!’ This wind tunnel effect isn’t apparent in the front- so it might be good to keep in mind if you are carrying littlies in the back. But, this is a city car, and the town or city is definitely fair ground for this open top ride.
Boot space is limited (you’re not likely to get a buggy in there) but there’s plenty of room for luggage and shopping.
The Fiat crew have stopped at nothing to make this car supremely gal-friendly; even the accelerator height allows for heels that are bordering on stilts (if you are so inclined). One small but, I think, significant point though, Fiat-please make your handbook more user-friendly...there's no index!
The Fiat 500 proves that it’s not (engine) size that counts: call me shallow, but this little retro metro gem must be near the top of the Good Looks Car for Gals ticking the safety and fun boxes (yes, really!) along the way.
Speccy Bits
Price: Best deal we’ve seen: £9,960 for Hatchback . For the convertible: £12,960
Lease Hire Deals: from £156 pcm
Fuel Consumption/Eco Friendliness: Ave 55.4 mpg . Start Stop Economy engine features the automatic stopping of the engine when at a complete halt-starting up the engine again on re-engaging gears.
Tank Range: 454 miles
CO2 emissions: 119 g/km
0-60 in 12.9 seconds
Safety Rating: 5 Star Euro NCAP rating
Colourways: The New Fiat 500 Convertible is available in eleven colours : Crossover Black, Midnight Indigo Blue, Electroclash Grey and Breakbeat Grey in the Metallic option; Funk White and Ragamuffin Red in the Pearlescent option; Bossanova White in the solid option; and Tropicalia Yellow, Volare Blue, Rock n Roll Blue, Cappellini Azure, Tech House Grey and Pasodoble Red in the Special option.
High Heelability: (Possibly) in the words of Oliver and Watson: “I did a four incher” (heels that is). Really? Have these guys left nothing out in the gal-friendly stakes? The foot pedals are just at the right height for manoeuvring your stilettos around.
Competitors: Citroen C3 Pluriel; Mitsubishi Colt CC ; Mini Cabriolet; SmartCar Cabrio
Overall Desirability: I’d like one under the Christmas tree please (and it would probably fit)
A Me-Mo Car Review
Ruthie at
www.me-mo.co.uk
This article is also reproduced at: http://www.womentalking.co.uk/ -the U.K.'s great online women's magazine
Labels: car reviews, Fiat 500, fiat 500 pop convertible, me-mo, womens online driving magazine
Woman's Eye Car Review: Jaguar XF
CAR REVIEW : The Jaguar XF: Skinning the Cat
With the use of a Jaguar XF for a long weekend, the initial questions seemed to be-where to go and what to wear? Monte Carlo in Jeremy Clarkson jeans and cravat? Val d’Isere in ski pants and a thong? (No, I don’t think so- I always gets them back to front - forever the girl to get the thin end of the wedgie). I eventually gave in to a Zara dress and some alarming tartan tights- not forgetting a change of shoes to road test the level of the accelerator against my stilettos...
The Jaguar XF 2.2 was named Women’s World Car of the Year in 2010: the 8 women judges based their assessment according mainly to the parameters of ‘safety, ease of driving, storage space, value for money, child-friendliness, colour and sex appeal’ ...no talk of torque or whinnying about horsepower for them then, which is fine by me.
There’s something about the rounded shape of the Jaguar XF (like the New Beetle perhaps-that reminds women of-is it a baby’s face or a baby’s bottom? I can never remember)...but it has that aesthetically pleasing curviness of the Beetle bodywork ...the XF is the luscious Marilyn Monroe of motors. Everything about the XF exudes classiness and good taste...long gone are any connotations of dodgy second hand car salesmen in Arthur Daley sheepskin coats. Add to this the near space- station feel of the interior with the rising gear shift dial from the centre console on ignition and the automatic dashboard instrument-exposing sequence and I felt like singing Ground Control to Major Tom (Tom) each time I got in.
But what I found most interesting is that, even amongst women who say they are not interested in cars, the Jaguar brings admiring glances and accolades. My friend Pip (hates cars) was practically drooling over the leather seats and cosy womb-like interior of the front cabins. She did point out though, that the rear seats will only accommodate two people comfortably, with the centre occupant having to position one foot either side of the raised mid- section. In its defence, however, there are centre restraint harness points, providing it with kiddy friendly Brownie points.
The Jaguar XF is the thinking woman’s car, that doesn’t require you to do too much thinking: automatic headlight function when dusk approaches is fab, but I personally found the dampening of radio volume on reversing (I’m sure this can have been overridden if I’d known how) quite interesting...I can often be found reversing in to the teensiest of parking spaces, music at full blast, whilst crocheting a hat and filing my nails...but then not everyone can multitask. Come to think of it, the interior of my particular model was very masculine indeed –all black leather and mesh chrome dashboard; more walnut would have been welcome as would more muted colours-but many colour options are available-cream leather interior as well as a choice of 15 different exterior colours.
Rear wheel drive means that the Jaguar XF takes on the feel of its insignia on acceleration (pouncing forward, all power rests in its haunches, whilst the front wheels are free to steer). The XF handles like a dream, with supremely sensitive and nimble steering and powerful acceleration capacity making overtaking an extremely safe and satisfying experience. Braking is also swift and steady as was cornering, the weight distribution between all four wheels feeling much steadier and controllable than either front wheel or four wheel drive. Panoramic visibility was also a great point- I’ve never driven anything that gives a better all round view of the road.
Other pluses include standard extras of Sat Nav, reverse parking sensors , heated front seats, Bluetooth and USB ports, removable drinks containers-making for easy cleaning- and great boot space. But one small niggle about the boot: instead of springing in to action on release you have to keep nudging it to open fully...but I’m sure I could live with that.
Which gets me to thinking (sorry-that’s a bit Carrie Bradshaw) ‘why don’t more women lust after luxury cars? ‘ Most women are spending longer and longer each day of our lives travelling in them...and when we do take an interest why do we always seem to go for the smaller variety? Is it the psychology of women taking up less space(men tend to spread themselves out physically-cars can be seen to be an extension of this)...but also one of confidence and control: are we in control of the car or is the car in control of us? And what is it about luxury cars that we feel are so out of bounds to us gals? (Besides the price tag, that is) My 18 year old daughter loved it but said she would never want one... she already equates cars with small and cosy, whereas most boys seem intent on speed and performance...and size.
Come Monday, the guy from Jaguar was eager to get the car back to base. We had a bit of a tussle with the keys...you know how it is: that instant of momentary recognition, when you hold on to something for just a fraction too long...well, ok- he did have to wrestle them off me, and I slunk away with just the twinkle of a tear in my eye...One day, Marilyn, you will be mine...
Speccy Bits
Price: from £29,950
Lease Hire Deals : from £342 pcm
Fuel Consumption/Eco friendliness: Fuel economy-the stop-start function is said to conserve between 5 and 7% of fuel-Consumption around town 42.8, out of town 58.9 Combined 52.3 mpg
Tank Range: 800 miles
CO2 emissions: 149g/km
0-60 in 8 seconds
Safety Rating NCAP rating: 4 star
Colourways: white, cream, brown, red, light and dark blue, light green, black, grey...and something that looked like purple
High Heelability Perfect for up to 3” –was struggling with the accelerator pedal on 4 inchers-not to be recommended
Competitors: Audi A6. Mercedes CLS and E Class, BMW 5 Series
Overall Desirability: Fight me for the keys (PS – I’m a Black Belt 2nd Dan in Karate)
A Me-Mo Car Review
Ruthie at
www.me-mo.co.uk
Next Review: Fiat 500 TwinAir
Labels: car reviews, Jaguar xf, jaguar xf review, me-mo, women's world car of the year 2010, womens online driving magazine
