Description

It’s one of the biggest issues of the year for latest car news, as we preview all of the models headed for the Geneva motor show. Every car maker has hot new metal designed to lure buyers into its showrooms, and we deliver all the essential information on the newcomers. And as if that wasn’t enough, this month is also a car cleaning and valeting special issue, with advice on how to remove swirls from your paintwork, and buying suggestions on the latest products.

We’ve also been testing the long awaited, all-new Volvo XC90, the facelifted Citroën C4, Audi TT Roadster and new Suzuki Vitara, as well as getting behind the wheel of the latest Mazda6 and Audi A1 and Q3 on UK roads. In this month’s twin tests, Ford’s Mondeo finally battles it out with the latest Volkswagen Passat, and Hyundai’s new i20 takes on the recently launched Skoda Fabia. In the brand new EcoCar supplement, we test the new smart fortwo and forfour, and look back at the Sinclair C5 which was launched 30 years ago.

Our used car section explains the differences between original, remanufactured, reconditioned and pattern parts, and this month’s subject of our used car buyer’s guide is the Skoda Yeti GreenLine II 1.6 TDI. Elsewhere, we put Ford’s new Focus ST diesel through its paces in a 1,000 mile dash across Europe, and take a look at diesel power in motorsport. There’s also all the favourites, including Doctor Diesel, The Extra Mile, Marketplace, High Mile Club and the most up-to-date data section in the magazine world, listing every diesel and alternatively fuelled car, as well as sub-100g/km petrol vehicles, too.

Tested:

• Audi A1 Sportback Sport 1.6 TDI S-tronic
• Audi Q3 S line 2.0 TDI quattro (181) S-tronic
• Audi TT Roadster S line 2.0 TDI ultra
• Citroen C4 Flair BlueHDi 120
• Ford Mondeo Titanium 2.0 TDCi (150) 5-door
• Hyundai i20 SE 1.4 CRDi 5-door
• Mazda6 2.2 Sport Nav Diesel
• MG6 GT SE DTi
• Peugeot 208 Feline 1.6 BlueHDi 120 5-door
• Range Rover Evoque SD4 Pure Automatic 5-door
• Skoda Fabia SE L 1.4 TDI (89)
• smart fortwo prime (70)
• smart forfour prime (70)
• Suzuki Vitara 1.6 DDiS SZ5 Allgrip
• Vauxhall Corsa SRi 1.3 CDTi ecoFLEX (94) 5-door
• Volkswagen Passat SE Business 2.0 TDI (150)
• Volvo XC90 D5 AWD Momentum Automatic

Long-term test reports

• Audi A7 SE Executive 3.0 TDI quattro Automatic
• Citroen Grand C4 Picasso Exclusive+ BlueHDi 150 Automatic
• Ford Tourneo Connect Titanium 1.6 TDCi (114)
• Honda Civic Tourer SR 1.6 i-DTEC
• Mitsubishi ASX 4 2.2 DI-D 4WD Automatic
• Peugeot 308 SW Allure 1.6 BlueHDi 120
• Renault Clio Dynamique MediaNav dCi 90
• Skoda Octavia vRS 2.0 TDI CR
• Volkswagen Sharan SE 2.0 TDI (148) DSG Automatic
• Volvo V40 Cross Country D4 SE Nav Geartronic

Used car buyer’s guide

• Skoda Yeti GreenLine II 1.6 TDI (2010-onwards)