Product Eye
Our team bring you informed analysis of selected new vehicle models and put them in automotive industry perspective
PRODUCT EYE: Lexus tries again with new IS
23 May 2013
A colleague who shall remain nameless asked, among fellow journalists, the rhetorical question during the European launch of the third generation IS: given the success of Audi, BMW and Mercedes on home European turf, why does Lexus bother?
PRODUCT EYE: Honda CR-Z
21 May 2013
It isn't often that a three-year old car, albeit one that was facelifted not long ago, attracts admiring glances in car parks. Glenn Brooks was surprised to learn that few people know what a Honda CR-Z is.
PRODUCT EYE: Porsche Cayman
17 May 2013
When Porsche GB invites you to the Scottish Highlands to drive its new Cayman, you tend to reschedule whatever else was in the diary. Glenn Brooks was just-auto's man on EasyJet to Inverness.
PRODUCT EYE: Suzuki Grand Vitara
10 May 2013
Thought all the medium-sized frame-platform SUVs had been replaced by front-wheel drive ones? Glenn Brooks reacquaints himself with the latest Suzuki Grand Vitara, a proper old-school 4x4.
PRODUCT EYE: Vauxhall Mokka
3 May 2013
A suitably mud-coloured Vauxhall Mokka recently turned up for review at Glenn Brooks' home. He now sees why GM's little SUV is selling up a storm in Europe.
PRODUCT EYE: Audi A3 Sportback
29 April 2013
It seems hardly a month goes by when there isn’t one new form or another of the new Audi A3 being announced. Glenn Brooks, who attended the UK launch of the Sportback, looks at what's ahead for the local importer's best selling model.
PRODUCT EYE: BMW 114i
25 April 2013
Can a BMW be considered a sports model if it’s only got 100 horsepower? Glenn Brooks tries the base version of what was last month the UK's best selling premium brand car.
PRODUCT EYE: Peugeot eyes new niche with 'luxury' 208 variant
18 April 2013
The UK launch of Peugeot's 208 'hot hatch' sports variant – the 208 GTi - was accompanied, understandably, by some looking back at the brand's widely respected history in that area of the market.
PRODUCT EYE: Dacia Sandero
16 April 2013
Just how good can a sub-GBP 6,000 car be? A lot better than you would expect, Glenn Brooks finds, as he tries out the Dacia Sandero.
PRODUCT EYE: Localised Leaf launches
12 April 2013
Nissan Europe suits liken the Leaf EV update - now 'localised' for and built in Europe - as a bit like an iPhone or iPad upgrade: looks much the same on the outside but new goodies lurk therein. And there was a big pricing surprise to announce as well.
PRODUCT EYE: Ford Kuga
19 March 2013
Ford sees no reason why near-record fuel prices should make now a bad time to be launching a new SUV. Quite the opposite, in fact, as Glenn Brooks learned on the UK market launch of the abstemious new Kuga.
PRODUCT EYE: Subaru XV
15 March 2013
It’s hard to believe that fewer than 50,000 Subarus were sold in Europe last year, but it’s true. This brand is mainstream almost everywhere else in the world, but here, it’s more exclusive than Porsche.
PRODUCT EYE: Vauxhall Adam
12 March 2013
Vauxhall invited just-auto along to the London launch of the Adam, which was based in a pop-up shop at the giant Westfield shopping centre adjacent to the site of the 2012 summer Olympic Games.
PRODUCT EYE: MG 6 diesel turbo
4 March 2013
MG was one of the star performers in the UK market last year, with a 166% sales YoY gain. Glenn Brooks tries the new MG 6 diesel to see how the car measures up to its pricier class rivals.
PRODUCT EYE: Mitsubishi Outlander
20 February 2013
It's been a long wait for new products from Mitsubishi Motors, but the first of several to come has just hit the UK market. Glenn Brooks tries the third generation Outlander.
PRODUCT EYE: 2013 Citroen DS5 HYbrid4
4 February 2013
Who says the British won't pay premium prices for French cars? Citroen has been quietly moving itself upmarket in the UK, enjoying much success with its DS line vehicles. Glenn Brooks tries the latest model, the diesel-electric DS5 HYbrid4 in new 88g/km form.
PRODUCT EYE: Toyota Auris Hybrid
22 January 2013
No rival has followed Toyota Motor Europe into the segment it created in 2010 with the Auris Hybrid. Undaunted, TME has just launched a second generation model. Glenn Brooks tries it for size and finds it an intriguing alternative to a Golf TDI.
PRODUCT EYE: Volkswagen Golf
15 January 2013
It's up to 100kg lighter, will be the largest volume model on the MQB platform and replaces a model that was only four years old. Glenn Brooks drives the new Golf and finds it a big step forward for Volkswagen.
PRODUCT EYE: 2013MY Range Rover Sport
12 December 2012
Glenn Brooks samples the latest, revised 2013 model year Range Rover Sport, reflecting upon what recent investments at the Solihull plant which builds it will mean for Land Rover's future.
PRODUCT EYE: Audi S8
2 November 2012
It's not every day you get to drive an Audi S8, especially one that's been optioned up to the max with extras such as GBP8,650 ceramic brakes and a GBP5,565 Bang & Olufsen sound system.
