Category: Car Tests

We drove the Seat Arona Excellence 1.6 TDI 95 HP and 1.0 TSI 115 HP: it does your thing…the right way!

Posted in Car News, Car presentations, Car TestsLeave a comment

aDSC00674s

Compact SUV and crossovers are all the rage nowadays, and the VW Group has many irons in the fire in this segment. Under the Seat brand it offers in the B segment the well styled Arona, which not only pleased us with its pure, angular contours, but also with the way it drives, handles and performs, and offers lots of pleasure to the whole family.

This test drive also amply showed us the high level of engineering and well honed workmanship which went into this Arona, and last but not least how good modern day diesel and petrol engines have become…

Just read further!

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Continue reading “We drove the Seat Arona Excellence 1.6 TDI 95 HP and 1.0 TSI 115 HP: it does your thing…the right way!” →

We drove the Renault Espace 160 dCi EDC Initale Paris: your noble transport.

Posted in Car News, Car presentations, Car TestsLeave a comment

aIMG_2348s

French diplomats and heads of state use it for ceremonies and their daily business: indeed, this car has earned its marks amongst people which matter. And rightly so. Laurens van den Acker and his styling people succeeded in giving the latest generation of the Renault flagship people carrier this style and panache which sets it out from the crowd. But the latest Renault Grand Espace does not only please the eye. It also has qualities which make it enviable to own and drive. Just read on…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Continue reading “We drove the Renault Espace 160 dCi EDC Initale Paris: your noble transport.” →

We drove the Mazda MX-5 1.5 SKYACTIV-G SkyCruise: the purest joy of roadster driving.

Posted in Automobilia, Car Tests, Lifestyle, men women and carsLeave a comment

aIMG_2543s

Never mind the season: this MX-5 teaches you what car driving is all about, and it is the ultimate four wheeled pleasure, whatever the weather, whatever the road. Many people have seen the light, and have bought an MX-5, and therefore it is the most sold open two seater sportscar in the world, actually more than a million of it have already hit the road. About seeing the light, did you know that Mazda is an ancient Iranian god of light?

aIMG_2678s

The fourth generation of the MX-5, called the ND series, was presented for the European market on the Paris Motor Show in September 2014. The RF (Retractable Fastback) version came late 2016.  A lot of detailed and clever engineering has gone into the car to improve it even more. We drove the roadster for this test over French wintery roads, and are totally smitten. It is surprisingly comfortable, yet has lost nothing of its agility and handling, together with a masterfully willing engine and delightful manual 6 speed gearbox. Pure joy remains built in. Just read on…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Continue reading “We drove the Mazda MX-5 1.5 SKYACTIV-G SkyCruise: the purest joy of roadster driving.” →

We drove the Renault Alaskan 190 HP dCi auto: a sturdy gallic companion for all your roads…

Posted in Car News, Car presentations, Car Tests, LifestyleLeave a comment

aIMG_2105s

Pickups are all the rage, and they have already inspired entire nations, like the USA for instance. They evoke the lure of wide open spaces, and also Europeans find this ever more attractive. Therefore, it is only logical that Renault uses the opportunities of its alliance with Nissan to add a formidable pickup to its range which bears many similarities with the Nissan Navara NP 300. This Alaskan was initially unveiled in Colombia in 2016 and is already a success in Latin America’s long-standing pick-up market, the Renault Alaskan went on sale in Europe in September 2017. We drove it for you with the powerful 190 HP 2,3 liter diesel engine. Making a strong statement wherever you go…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Continue reading “We drove the Renault Alaskan 190 HP dCi auto: a sturdy gallic companion for all your roads…” →

We drove the new Nissan Leaf: more power, more range, and more style.

Posted in Car News, Car presentations, Car Tests, Future car technologyLeave a comment

aIMG_2498s

The Leaf has certainly come of age, and this amply shows. The new Leaf has a more dynamic shape, with more sleek lines and bolder profiles. But that is not all. Advanced technologies, as Nissan calls it, have also been built in this new Leaf. Like an e-Pedal and ProPILOT autonomous drive technology, which is further enhanced with ProPILOT Park. We could extensively test it all at the presentation held by the dynamic people of Nissan BeNeLux recently.

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Continue reading “We drove the new Nissan Leaf: more power, more range, and more style.” →

We drove the Renault Mégane Grandtour DCi 130 hp: a smooth and stylish operator…

Posted in Car News, Car TestsLeave a comment

aDSC_0804s

Renaults now really stand out in style, thanks to the creativity and talents of Laurens Van den Acker and his team. Renaults have now a bold and characteristic styling language and identity. Moreover, they have timeless and excellent proportions, and this Grandtour version of the Mégane amply proves the point. On top of all that, there is mechanical refinement to be enjoyed, and indeed, during the test of this diesel engined, lively Renault, we more than often had broad smiles on our face…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Continue reading “We drove the Renault Mégane Grandtour DCi 130 hp: a smooth and stylish operator…” →

We drove the new Polo 1.0 TSI 95 Highline: tailored to perfection

Posted in Car presentations, Car TestsLeave a comment

aIMG_6840s

Volkswagen products stand out for their mechanical excellence, well honed refinement and workmanship. Throughout their range, they strive for the same perfection in driving characteristics, solidity, finish and workmanship. Therefore, when you slide behind the wheel of the latest Polo, you can expect something grand. Certainly, when you know that this car came with the latest, state of the art three cylinder 1 liter petrol engine, coupled to the flawless 7 speed DSG auto box. Just read on…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Continue reading “We drove the new Polo 1.0 TSI 95 Highline: tailored to perfection” →

We drove the Fiat 500L Cross 120 HP MultiJet 1,6: an icon goes offroad…

Posted in Car News, Car presentations, Car TestsLeave a comment

aDSC_0726s

The Fiat 500L is now already for 5 years the undisputed leader in the European compact MPV segment, and its superb design, with its timeless proportions is more contemporary than ever. Its unique personality is now further enhanced with a Cross version, which lets you enjoy driving pleasures off the beaten path. We drove the rejuvenated 500L with a quite lively 120 HP state of the art MultiJet diesel, and this makes this MPV one with a very sporting heart…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Continue reading “We drove the Fiat 500L Cross 120 HP MultiJet 1,6: an icon goes offroad…” →

We drove the Audi Q5 2.0 TDI 190 hp Quattro Sport: four rings for you to enjoy…

Posted in Car News, Car presentations, Car TestsLeave a comment

aIMG_0301s

Compact SUV’s are all the rage now, and the Q5 has always stood out as one of the very best. It now is rejuvenated recently, and we were delighted to have the opportunity to have an extended test drive with the 2 liter 190 HP Diesel version, equipped with the formidable S Tronic transmission and last but not least 4WD of course.

You can imagine that we enjoyed the style, sportiness and refined experience of this lavishly equipped and powerful Audi…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Continue reading “We drove the Audi Q5 2.0 TDI 190 hp Quattro Sport: four rings for you to enjoy…” →

We drove the Opel Grandland X: driving pleasure enhanced with (s)pace and grace…

Posted in Car News, Car presentations, Car TestsLeave a comment

aIMG_0529s

Opel has some impressive cards up its sleeve in the compact SUV segment, and the most recent addition to the range, the Grandland, hits all the stops: it is stylish, roomy, comfortable and offers genuine driving pleasure. It revealed itself as a comfortable and smooth urban cruiser as well as a zesty and fast tourer on the open road. Op top of all that, it remained quite frugal too…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Continue reading “We drove the Opel Grandland X: driving pleasure enhanced with (s)pace and grace…” →