Category: Car Tests

When a maker of thoroughbred, feline performance automobiles builds an AWD fully fledged SUV, you can expect the result to turn heads.

Indeed, it did. The F-Pace is not only stunning on the displays of motor shows and at international presentations, but also on the road. We put the F-Pace through its paces (literally) in the 3 liter V6 Turbodiesel version, coupled to the 8 speed automatic transmission. It lived up to anything we expected from it, just read further…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Continue reading “We drove the Jaguar F-Pace 3.0 D AWD: a thoroughbred for all seasons…” →

Having to haul a rather sizeable amount of our books and automobilia to France, we decided to choose the VW Maxi Caddy for the job, also to see how well modern small vans perform. To tell you right here, this VW truly amazed us. It offers formidable transport, to say the least.

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Continue reading “We drove the Volkswagen Maxi Caddy 2,0 TDI 102 HP: enjoying the wonders of transport” →

Whenever we take the wheel of a Volkswagen, we are always deeply impressed by the quality they are built, the mechanical perfection and refinement which is achieved time and again. The new Tiguan is no exception. It is brand new, and it already feels like it has been built for years, as it is already honed to perfection. This fine tuning of production quality, bringing it to very high levels indeed is one of the hallmarks of this Tiguan.

But this is of course only one of the many good qualities of the new Tiguan. The new compact SUV from VW looks stunningly good and “just right” from any angle, displaying a timelessly angular and clean styling language. And there is more.  It has also many good driving qualities, which we all experienced during our test. Just read further…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Continue reading “We drove the new VW Tiguan Comfortline 2.0 TDI: bringing mobility to perfection…” →

 

Far eastern shores never fail to fascinate and bewilder us… and the people who live there. Take the Japanese. With a passion very much of their own, they proudly go for perfection, with an uncanny discipline and perseverance.

This clearly shows in the cars they create and build, like the Lexus. The brand always stood for luxury and utter mechanical refinement. But when the Lexus engineers decide to take the sporting route, they also go all the way…

The result is a car with unseen dramatic sportiness. Every meter you drive it is an unforgettable experience.

One is bewildered by the superb handling of this five seater sedan and the sound and fury of a thoroughbred 5 liter V8 engine. Just read further…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Continue reading “We drove the Lexus GSF: ultimate sportiness in a velvet glove…” →

Every sporting driver wants it some time or another: a pure, thoroughbred sports car, which handles like a sports shoe, and fits like a glove. A car with an honest, non-turbo, high revving engine, coupled to a manual gearbox, which allows you to unfold all your gearshift talents. A car with a crisp, direct and precise steering, which enhances your talent of always choosing that ideal line.

Well this car exists. It is a joint engineering effort with the talented developers of Subaru and Toyota, all lovers of pure sports cars themselves. The result is a stunning, genuine sports car, which delivers that driving pleasure you always dreamt of. We tested all this for you. Just read further.

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Continue reading “We drove the Subaru BRZ: the sports car for purists” →

Our modern cars can be pretty economical. But then there are car makers who have honed this to an absolute art. They have succeeded in linking frugality with refinement, elegance, power and performance. The Nano grey 6 speed Audi A3 we drove recently amply proved the point.  Its ultra docile and smooth but powerful engine and refined drive train was indeed nothing less than stunning, and thanks to its state of the art cylinder on demand technology it proved immensely economical. We achieved with no effort an average consumption of 4,3 liters per 100 km on some journeys, and even in dense traffic it was very easy to stay at around and below 5,5 liters per 100 km. Just read further…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Continue reading “We drove the Audi A3 1.4 TFSI ULTRA COD 150 hp: the art of high-tech economy…” →

The iconic DS put divinity on wheels in the fifties, and quite understandably, Citroën used the prestigious two letters to define its actual premium range. The brand has indeed impressed us with some formidable cars already, bold in styling and refined in technology and above all ride, handling and performance.

The DS3 continues this tradition, and we tested for you here the cabrio version, with the frugal, smooth and powerful PureTech 3 cylinder making it a lively performer. More importantly, it came with the latest double clutch 6-speed auto box, which makes this DS an ideally smooth companion. Just read further…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Continue reading “We drove the DS3 Cabrio 1.2 Pure Tech 110 EAT6: the DS legend gets a fresh breeze…” →

Mercedes-Benz has always built excellent, truly outstanding passenger cars. The tenth generation of the so-called E-Class is a case in point. This five passenger saloon achieves perfection in its segment. It offers the very, very best in everything  a modern passenger car is or should be. Packed with the latest in technology, it combines this masterfully with the know-how and experience the oldest car manufacturer in the world has acquired in building premium cars.

The ride, the comfort, the workmanship, the mechanical perfection, the way it safely assists you on your journey… All this is such a wonderful experience, just read on…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Continue reading “We drove the Mercedes E Class 220d: enjoying the perfection of the good star” →

Some cars have the clever fun factor written all over it. Indeed, they have grown to become true icons of just simply smart, pleasurable transport. Such a car is of course the Smart.

It has come a long way, and the latest generation has gained in comfort, driveability, road holding. This fortwo is now honed quite close to perfection. We decided in these beautiful late summer days to take the wheel of the open top version of this nimble two seater.  And indeed, what clever fun this car proved to be…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Continue reading “We drove the Smart fortwo cabrio: massive open air fun (only) for two…” →

Impressive. That’s how one can best describe this Hyundai. Earning very high marks in style and engineering, in mechanical refinement and perfection, in roominess, finish and build quality.

We drove this Grand Santa Fe in the top Executive Version, equipped with the Safety Pack, giving you all the electronic assistance you would ever wish for to help you drive safely to your destination.

A very relaxing and rewarding experience, just read further…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Continue reading “We drove the Hyundai Grand Santa Fe 2.2 CRDi: a stunning SUV flagship from the orient…” →