Old Telegraph Online Motoring Reviews From our Archives 1992 to 1998
Road tests, reviews and commentary from the Telegraph Online archive.
If you prefer the original layout, you can still read the archived Motoring index page here:
view the classic Motoring page (archived).
Feature
Nissan’s aid to Lebanon – and a new Micra flagship
Nissan pledged $200,000 to support refugees displaced by the conflict in Lebanon, the
ancestral home of chief executive Carlos Ghosn. The donation, led by the company’s
Corporate Citizenship Team, was made despite the political risks, on the basis that
the social impact of the war – especially on children – demanded a direct response.
At the same time, Nissan’s UK operation unveiled a new range-topping Micra Sport SR,
designed, engineered and built in Britain.
Nissan Micra Sport SR – UK-designed flagship model.
SUVs and crossovers
Land Rover
Range Rover 2007 – British flagship refined
The 2007 Range Rover gains a reworked cabin and a series of technical upgrades aimed at
keeping Land Rover’s range-topper ahead of its rivals. Comfort, refinement and presence
remain the core of the package, but the updated interior and technology underline its
role as a British-built luxury off-roader.
Kia
Tough rider – the Sorento pulls no punches
Kia’s Sorento gains a 2.5-litre CRDi VGT diesel and a 3.3-litre V6, broadening its appeal
as a no-nonsense workhorse with real road presence. It is pitched as a rugged SUV that
can cope with towing and family duties without losing comfort.
Family cars and MPVs
Kia
Kia Carens – British debut at the Motor Show
Designed and built with British and European drivers in mind, the latest Carens sheds its
conservative image in favour of a fresh, more adventurous design packed with practical
touches. It is aimed squarely at families who need space without sacrificing style.
Kia
New Kia Sedona – not another boring MPV
The Sedona has quietly become one of the UK’s best-selling large MPVs. This generation
aims to prove that a people-carrier can be practical without being dull, combining space
and flexibility with a more confident driving experience.
Ford
The Felicitous Fiesta – enduring favourite
The Fiesta has long been a British staple. In this review, Robert Govender and Raza Jafa
explore why it remains so popular, from its driving manners to the “rainbow elegance” of
Ford’s modern design, and how it reflects a more respectful attitude to the customer.
Sports cars and convertibles
Ford
Focus Coupé-Cabriolet – Italian style, Ford practicality
Ford’s first European model with a power-folding hardtop blends Italian styling with the
chassis of the Focus. A two-piece electric roof converts the car from coupé to cabriolet
in seconds, aiming to deliver everyday usability and open-air feel in one package.
Alfa Romeo
Alfa Spider – Cabrio of the Year at Geneva
The new Alfa Spider made its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show and immediately took
the “Cabrio of the Year 2006” award, as judged by a panel of 23 motoring writers from
12 countries. The review explores its styling, dynamics and position in the open-top market.
Chevrolet
Chevrolet Corvette – the world’s best-selling sports car?
Many still assume the world’s leading sports car must be German or Japanese. The Corvette
defies that assumption. From a launch on the French Riviera, this piece looks at how an
unapologetically American two-seater achieved global success and what it means for the
wider car industry.
Jaguar and comfort on the road
Jaguar
Jaguar – British design, global appeal
Telegraph Online tested a range of Jaguar models on British and European roads at a time
when other makers were struggling. This feature examines the engineering, design and
character that lie behind Jaguar’s worldwide resurgence.
Ford
Comfort cars – Ford’s quiet revolution
Motoring once treated comfort as an afterthought: a sound engine and solid body were considered enough.
This piece traces the industry’s shift towards ergonomics and ride quality, focusing on Ford’s leading
role in building genuinely comfortable mass-market cars.
