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MOTORING MOTORING VAUXHALL


CASCADA The Cascada is Vauxhall’s latest cabriolet, easily the best-looking soft-top the company has ever produced and arguably the first to have a true premium image. Cascada is available with two turbocharged petrol engines, a manual-only 138hp 1.4 litre and auto-only 168bhp 1.6 litre. The diesel option is a 163 hp 2.0 litre unit, with a more powerful version due soon. Prices start at £23,995 and even the


ROAD TESTS BY NICK FLETCHER


ouR MoToRINg CoLuMN, BY THe eXPeRIeNCeD AND AWARD WINNINg MoToRINg JouRNALIsT NICK FLETCHER HeLPs ouR ReADeRs CHoose THe BesT oF THe LATesT CARs.


switchgear is very user-friendly. seating is comfortable and


supportive and there is decent space for two adults in the rear. The boot has 380 litres of space if you plan not to lower the roof. If you do, you have 100 litres less. The rear seats do drop flat to create a box-like space, a neat feature and very useful for larger loads.


My test model was the 1.6 petrol se, with auto gearbox and 168hp


entry level SE model is well-kitted with air-con, DAB radio, usB-input, 18” alloys, rear parking sensors and cruise control. All models have four airbags, rollover protection system, stability control, and adaptive brake lights which flash to warn following drivers of emergency braking. The higher spec versions cost up to £29,660 and feature extra kit including climate control, leather seats, windbreak and a colour screen infotainment unit. The Cascada has plenty of visual impact and in my view has


a more potent front and rear design than rivals from the likes of VW, BMW and Audi. The interior too is beautifully styled with a classy appearance and the logical layout of dials and


JAGUAR XF SPORTBRAKE


The sportbrake is the estate version of Jaguar’s superb XF model, and you have to be in the car for only five minutes before you exhaust your supply of superlatives. Few cars can make such a big impression in so short a time. Charismatic styling, wow-factor interior, wonderfully flexible engine, intuitive driving dynamics and generous standard kit make the XF sportbrake quite irresistible. At the heart of the car is a terrific 2.2 litre diesel engine, which comes in 161 and 197 hp forms. There are more sporty 3.0 litre V6 diesels too but most company and family drivers will opt for the slick yet very economical 2.2 version. My recent test model had the 161 hp unit, mated to an 8-speed auto gearbox. 0-60 mph in 9.8 seconds with top speed of 130 mph. Fuel economy is an outstanding 57.7 mpg combined. The entry level sportbrake is £31,945 and is very well equipped but my test model was a Premium Luxury version at £38,295. The list of standard kit runs to more than 40 items and includes sport and Winter driving modes, self-levelling air suspension, stop-start, front and rear parking aids, keyless entry, push-button start, 7” touchscreen display with voice control, power tailgate release and even phosphor blue halo illumination! You also get a substantial amount of safety kit


In my view has a more potent front and rear design than rivals from the likes of VW, BMW and Audi.


under the bonnet. Top speed is 135 mph, 0-60 mph in 9.2 seconds. Fuel economy is 39.2 mpg combined, yet on a 500 mile round trip with city driving and a lot of motorway cruising, I achieved 46 mpg with no special effort. on the road, this model proved smooth


and quiet, and extremely assured. The suspension set up was very good, firm enough for safe grippy cornering yet supple enough to provide excellent ride comfort. steering feedback is informative and the auto transmission is smooth and well- spaced. All in all, I found the Cascada effortless to drive. The standard push-button double-layer fabric roof does a fine job in suppressing wind and road noise intrusion, and my test model had the optional triple-layer hood - £300 extra - which provided almost hard-top level of quietness.


including a bonnet which pops up in a collision to protect pedestrians. As a luxury estate car, the sportbrake works well, clever design making it practical with losing its potent sporty look. With the rear seat in use, the load space is near-square and with the seats folded down, you get good load length. My only quibble is that the swooping roof line means the load space is rather low and thus restricts taller items and even big dogs. The interior is beautifully and impressively styled, with


auto-rotating air vents and a rise-up gear selector entrancing passengers. Among options on my test model was cool-looking carbon-fibre veneer instead of traditional walnut, along with around a dozen more options including surround sound system,


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