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First Drives

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First Drive review: Volvo XC90 (2015)

The update of the XC90 after 12 years is a momentous occasion. Will it finally take Volvo into the top tier of SUV makers?
Published 14 February 2015
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First Drive review: Audi TTS roadster

A biblical deluge in Mallorca cramped this new roadster’s style but when the clouds parted, a proper sports car emerged...
Published 09 February 2015
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First Drive review: Audi R8 LMX (2014)

The Audi R8 was the future once. A prototype appeared in 2003 and was so modern-looking that it became the basis for Will Smith’s car in the film...
Published 06 February 2015
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First Drive review: Ford Mondeo (2015)

He helped Tony Blair to a landslide win in 1997 but while the archetypal Mondeo buyer may no longer have the same political clout the car itself is...
Published 03 February 2015
2016 Peugeot 308 GT review

First Drive review: Peugeot 308 GT (2015)

For all its hot-hatch pretensions, including its sleek looks and a faux engine growl, Peugeot’s 308 GT feels decidedly lukewarm
Published 29 January 2015
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First Drive review: Mercedes-Maybach S 600 (2015)

If you want to know who’s got money and how much, you could do worse than ask the Swiss bank UBS. It has published a report called, rather grandly...
Published 27 January 2015
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First Drive review: Volkswagen Passat (2015)

Volkswagen’s executive saloon joins the trend for taking jobs away from the driver with a system that parks trailers almost too well...
Published 19 January 2015
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First Drive review: Skoda Octavia Scout 2.0 TDI 4x4

Skoda's new off-roader lugs dogs, children and shopping in Audi-style comfort...
Published 12 January 2015
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First Drive review: Peugeot 208 GTi 30th (2014)

The hot hatch returned from rehab in a contrite mood. Subtle, practical and quiet, for the past few years it has been trying to rebuild its image...
Published 09 January 2015
2015 Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II review

First Drive review: Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II (2015)

In the revamped baby Rolls cosseting reaches such heights that you may wish to ditch the chauffeur and drive yourself...
Published 05 January 2015
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First Drive review: Lexus RC F (2014)

The new sports coupé from Lexus combines leather-draped luxury with thrilling handling, courtesy of an innovative Slalom torque setting
Published 29 December 2014
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First Drive review: Mazda2 (2015)

Not only has the new Mazda2 gone upmarket, it stretches the boundaries of a supermini and its links to the digital world are cutting edge...
Published 22 December 2014