VEHICLES Damian Turner VEHICLES Damian Turner

Review: Mitsubishi Jeep, CJ-3B Type 27

Between 1953 and 1998, Mitsubishi motors produced over 200,000 Jeep variants under licence from the Willys company in America. Very few were exported, but as they were predominantly right hand drive, a few were imported into the UK. This particular example dates from 1979 and is just one of 8 that were ‘officially’ imported by the Colt Car Company. It has undergone……….

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Review: 2015 Mitsubishi Shogun

Since the first-generation Shoguns arrived in the UK back in 1982, they have built up a 34-year reputation for being a tough but affordable vehicle with go-anywhere off-road capability. Available in both SWB (3 door), and LWB (5 door)…

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VEHICLES Damian Turner VEHICLES Damian Turner

Review: 2014 Mercedes S 500 L AMG

Now, I’ve always had a thing for big V8 saloons, over the years I’ve owned an Rover SD1 and a Lexus LS400, and more recently I was tempted by a Mercedes CL500, but the cash was ear marked for a new kitchen instead, meh…

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Review: 2014 Mercedes G-Wagen G350 BlueTec LWB

The G-Wagen is an imposing vehicle whichever way you view it, its reputation is legendary, but then so is the price. This particular G350 TEC BlueTec costs £83,830, then there’s the £22,320 worth of extras bringing the total up to an eye watering £106,150……

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VEHICLES Damian Turner VEHICLES Damian Turner

Review: 2017 All-New Mazda CX-5

The original CX-5 was introduced way back in 2012, and with global sales of over 1.5 million it now accounts for roughly 25% of Mazda’s global sales volume, with more than 32,000 current-generation CX-5s having been sold in the UK; no mean feat…

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Review: All NEW Kia Picanto

Like other small cars, the Picanto has never been on my radar.  It isn't huge, it doesn't have a big V8, nor does it have any kind of 4x4 system, so why did I fly all the way down to Grosseto, Italy to drive one then?  Well, I was going to say that your answer is in the question, I love Italy, but that isn't the reason at all - no, seriously, it isn't!…….

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Tyres: BF Goodrich Mud Terrain

Deux Smurf came with a set of General Grabber All Terrains, and they were a little past their sell by date for off-road use.  As winter was approaching, quickly, I decided that a new set of boots were needed, sooner rather than later…..

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Review: 2016 ALL NEW Kia Sportage

In our mind, the outgoing Sportage still looks as fresh as a daisy, which is testament to its designer, ex-Audi designer Peter Schreyer who also had a hand in styling the new model. Retaining its sloping roofline, bulging arches and minimal glass, the new model is still recognisable as a Sportage, but with a more ………

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VEHICLES Damian Turner VEHICLES Damian Turner

Review: Isuzu / Arctic Trucks D-Max AT35

For the 12 days during which the AT35 was parked outside Muddy Towers, this was my daily explanation: 

“Did you ever watch the episode of Top Gear in which they drove a Toyota Hilux to the North Pole?  Well, the same company who modified the Hilux, Arctic Trucks, have also sprinkled their magic on the Isuzu’s D-Max.” …

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Review: Kia Sportage 1.6ltr T-GDi 'GT-Line'

It’s an important car for Kia as it accounts for nearly a third (29%) of all Kias sold in the UK.  Launched in 2010, the third generation Sportage sold over 96,000 in Europe during 2014, and nearly as many were sold in the UK over the six-year on-sale period….

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Review: Jaguar F-Type 3ltr S Coupé RWD

A 3 ltr, supercharged 6 cylinder, rear wheel drive, 6-speed manual beauty that pumps out 380ps of absolute awesomeness and I want one - I want one soooo badly that it almost hurts. Apart from being a 2-seater sports car, the F-Type is quite…

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Review: Land Rover Freelander 2

It was whilst I was searching for a new car for Muddy Madam that I remembered the good old Freelander 2 that I borrowed from Land Rover a few years ago for an article I was writing for the now defunct Land Rover World magazine….

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Review: MINI Cooper ALL4 Countryman

Loved by many, loathed by a few traditionalists, there’s no denying that BMWs MINI has taken the world by storm.  Now with 5-doors and AWD, the Countryman pushes the marque forward into another category and joins the likes of the Jeep Renegade, Fiat 500X and the brilliant Mazda CX-5, amongst others…..

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Review: Ford Kuga Titanium X Sport 2ltr TDCi AWD

The Kuga isn’t a sports car, but equipped with the 178bhp 2ltr TDCi power unit, it certainly moves.  I particularly enjoyed taking it along the open and twisty roads around the Pennines, and with the combination of 19” rims, well-weighted electric steering and its all-wheel-drive system, it inspired confidence and gave me a huge grin……

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