Category: Car Tests

The Mini has stolen our heart, and indeed we just love all versions of it. It has all the good qualities of the original, and thanks to the superb engineering virtually none of the drawbacks and idiosyncrasies. Needless to say that in this late summer hot weather we were delighted to spend some time behind the wheel of the open version, the latest generation being launched in March this year. This time we tested it in the Cooper version….

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Continue reading “We drove the MINI Cooper Convertible: truly grand open air pleasure…” →

Skoda was literally very much in the picture in the Tour de France. When we had the occasion to make our own trip through the French “Hexagone” behind the stylish three spoked wheel of this sporting Skoda, you can understand we were looking forward to a delightful motoring experience,

Needless to say that on the road to the French Midi we took the Skoda through its paces on an iconic “col” of the Tour de France, the Grand Ballon d’Alsace… here we drive over the finish line at the top!

enjoying the engineering excellence and the fine sporting tradition of the brand, thanks to the dynamic PR team of Skoda Import Belgium. Just read on!

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Continue reading “A Sporting Grand Tour with the Skoda Octavia Combi RS 184 HP 2.0 CRTDI DSG6 4X4.” →

Gran Turismo Travelling in the Fiat Tipo: here in front of a fine restaurant and vineyard at Tain l’Ermitage…

After having experienced the excellent qualities of the Tipo in our regular test, we were truly delighted to take the wheel of this very well engineered and built five seater on a trip to the French midi, thanks to the dynamic PR team of FCA Belgium. It was a marvelous experience, where the Tipo showed its outstanding  properties of a fully fledged Gran Turismo automobile.

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Continue reading “Summer delight: Gran Turismo travelling in the new Fiat Tipo” →

 

We already praised in our previous test the unique character of the Mini and the driving pleasure and panache this car offers every meter you drive it. Sliding behind the wheel of this Clubman version, we liked the Mini even more.

The Clubman is bigger, has wider shoulders so to say, but inside the cabin the atmosphere remains every bit Mini. Indeed, the dashboard, door panels and seats are literally studded with styling elements which are so typically and iconically Mini.

The designers did a terrific job, and are only to be congratulated for it. Despite its bigger dimensions, the external proportions are “just right” and this Clubman is timelessly attractive. Just read on…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Continue reading “We drove the Mini Clubman One D: joining the club is only fun…” →

We really live in delightful times. If you think that modern cars make you less passionate about the art of driving, just take a closer look. At for instance this formidable Seat Cupra we tested here for you.

It truly amazed us how this well made compact five seater reaches a level of performance and handling which a few years ago were exclusively reserved to thoroughbred sports cars. Just read on…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Continue reading “We drove the Seat Cupra 2.0 TSI 290 HP DSG: pure Spanish passion on wheels…” →

The Fiat group unveils with the new Tipo in what it truly excels: offering character, latin elegance, practicality and impressive performance together with incredible value for money.

Indeed, this Tipo has it all. A stylish package, which looks and feels by no means cheap, with a very willing state of the art high-tech Diesel engine under the hood, sitting on a modern platform. It drives wonderfully suave, showing the enormous experience this large group has gained in building compact, well performing, practical vehicles endowed with character and performance.

A test of the 1,6 Multijet version of the Tipo truly convinced us of all this, again…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Continue reading “We drove the Fiat Tipo 1,6 Multijet 120 HP: style, elegance and performance at a price…” →

Already more than a decade ago we asked at the annual VW press conference how the group was coming along with its (VW) bestsellers running on natural gas. The answer was somewhat hesitant then, but positive. Things were under study, so they said, and indeed, looked likely to be introduced.  Well, the VW group engineers have taken things at heart. And state of the art CNG technology is now available on a wide range of models and brands within the group, amongst others in this elegant looking Seat Leon ST (Sports Tourer) . We drove it, and it brought a smile on our face…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Continue reading “We drove the Seat Leon ST 1.4 TGI : going green with pleasure…” →

When BMW comes up with a plug-in hybrid, you can expect something truly special. Indeed, the cars from Munich offer not only sublime power and performance, but always combine it with uncanny mechanical refinement and a sporting willingness which truly stands out. You just want to put that right foot deeper, and enjoy the velvety  stream of power which unfolds, time and again, just for your pleasure. “Aus Freude am Fahren”,  the men from Munich say, and indeed, the 225xe delivers this unique driving pleasure which we all cherish behind the wheel of a BMW.

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Continue reading “We drove the BMW 225xe Active Tourer: all the seduction of hybrid e-power…” →

We vividly remember the roaring sound of the Skoda 130 RS coupés in the legendary Boucles de Spa, now decades ago. These works rally cars showed dramatically the craftmanship of these men in Mlada Boleslav. In 1986 the Skoda 130 almost won the legendary event in the Belgian ardennes, and this on Czech winter tires.

In the presently held Legend Boucles de Spa our rally master Freddy Loix is nowadays to be seen behind the wheel of the historic Skoda Group B 130…

And this sporting tradition continues in today’s production cars. Because the Skoda men fully know the secrets of designing and building a thoroughbred sporting car, with excellent handling and exhilarating performance.

The 230 HP Octavia Combi RS , being now the fastest production Skoda Octavia ever produced, showed this all the way again in our test. Just read on…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

Continue reading “We drove the 230 HP Skoda Octavia Combi RS: the delight of sportiness” →