Test Drive: Renault Arkana E-Tech 145 : refined and caring

Pending a slight restyling expected during Summer, the Renault Arkana range just got a new version named E-Tech Engineered. Even though there are just cosmetic changes, this is a good opportunity to rediscover an SUV Coupé that sells rather well. It combines a rather comfortable experience with top grade fit and finish as well as …

Lire la suite de Test Drive: Renault Arkana E-Tech 145 : refined and caring

Test Drive: DS 7 E-Tense 4×4 300: Lateral thinking

Faced with the German onslaught on the SUV segment, French brands are fighting back doing things their own way. The DS7 was launched in 2017 as the DS7 Crossback. Last year, it was renamed DS7 for the second half of its career and received a number of aesthetic and technological improvements. We enjoyed getting another …

Lire la suite de Test Drive: DS 7 E-Tense 4×4 300: Lateral thinking

Test Drive: Renault Kadjar dCi 115 EDC : Old World order

Renault introduced the new Austral just a few days after our test took place, making it somewhat instantly outdated.  However… What a pleasure it was to be behind the wheel of a reasonably sized SUV sipping diesel! No weird hybridized power plant here : in most cases the Kadjar just gets you from A to …

Lire la suite de Test Drive: Renault Kadjar dCi 115 EDC : Old World order

Test drive: DS4 Rivoli E-Tense 225: the right balance?

The very first cars from the DS brand may have shocked prospective customers while the  subsequent ones may have seemed a bit bland. Would the new DS4 be the right balance, the car that eventually put the thins right for DS, Citroën’s posh badge ? That's what we think after a week spent behind the …

Lire la suite de Test drive: DS4 Rivoli E-Tense 225: the right balance?

New car test: DS9 E-TENSE 4×4 360: A new take on luxury

Over the last few years, the number of big saloons available has shrunk considerably. Manufacturers preferring to steer their customers towards much more lucrative SUVs. Alongside the three German premium brands, only the Volvo S90 and the Lexus ES 300h remain available. Seeing a French brand launching a large saloon can be seen as quite …

Lire la suite de New car test: DS9 E-TENSE 4×4 360: A new take on luxury

The Gendarmerie Nationale and Alpine: a 50 years old partnership

The Gendarmerie Nationale just placed an order for no less than 26 Alpine A110s. They will go to  the motorways quick response units.  Alpine and the French Gendarmerie have been working together for more than fifty years. As early as 1967, the Gendarmerie Nationale ran Alpine Berlinettes. They were used by the motorway quick response …

Lire la suite de The Gendarmerie Nationale and Alpine: a 50 years old partnership

Test Drive: Peugeot 508 SW PSE: so many promises

The Peugeot style department undoubtedly achieved what they wanted with this 508.  During our test of the 508 PSE everyone told us: "it looks like a German car". It's true that this estate looks the part and promising in Selenium Grey, featuring small winglets on the sides of the front and rear bumpers, not forgetting …

Lire la suite de Test Drive: Peugeot 508 SW PSE: so many promises

Test DS4: France strikes back by Emmanuel Van de Brûle

After several years of searching for its own identity, the French automotive industry is eventually finding its place in a broader environment. DS even gambles on the premium segment, while at the same time marking the difference with its rivals. Design, technology and comfort being the keywords of the day. There’s a definite French flavour …

Lire la suite de Test DS4: France strikes back by Emmanuel Van de Brûle

New Citroën C3 Aircross: maturity

Introduced almost four years ago, the C3 Aircross has just been upgraded for the second half of its career. In a very crowded segment, the C3 Aircross majors on comfort and modularity to seduce. After nearly four years, the C3 Aircross gets a revised front end to give it a more “dynamic and serious” look. …

Lire la suite de New Citroën C3 Aircross: maturity

New car test: Renault Arkana: joyfully dynamic

Usually, an SUV is a real punishment for any driving enthusiast. It seems that this pleasure is less and less coveted, but for a self-respecting motoring journalist, enjoying a drive and having fun between two curves is still a goal in itself when you get behind the wheel of a car. However, behind the wheel …

Lire la suite de New car test: Renault Arkana: joyfully dynamic