Category: Car Tests

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…” →

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…” →