End of the three-door hatchback?

We're preferring more doors these days. A sign of the times?

Volkswagen on D.I.V.O.R.C.E

Adverts that made light of a depressing topic.

The future’s bright for Lotus

A glimmer of hope in East Anglia.

MALAYSIAN car firm Proton Holdings, have been struggling for some time now. But their future has been secured after a takeover by the Geely Group this week. Which in turn, should be great news for Lotus Cars – who are owned by Proton.

Proton have been struggling due to a major decline in sales. Consequently, this has meant Lotus has been starved from investment into research, development, and with limited resources into making new and exciting sports and performance cars. Meaning funds were drying up for the Norfolk-based company.

With the hands-off treatment of Volvo – along with millions invested into the Swedish marque, and let them do what they do best. In return, they have enjoyed a successful renaissance under Geely. If there is anything to go by given how things have panned out for Volvo. There should be plenty of cause of optimism for Lotus.

What happened to the ornament?

It's a shame UK-spec Mercedes saloons (barring the S-Class) don't have them.

Ka by name, not by nature

FORD weren’t wrong to make a car for those wanting cheap, basic, no-frills transport. The likes of the Dacia Sandero, Vauxhall Viva, Skoda Citigo and Fiat Panda prove that there's a market for them.

A lot of people buy a Ford for that reason alone. Some also do it out of apathy and convenience. There’s a Ford dealer in every town like there are Tesco supermarkets. But I can’t help but think that The Blue Oval was wrong in deciding that the Ka was to be that model in their line-up.

New Top Gear - A bit of a mixed bag

Mixed reaction from viewers. Here's what was good and bad about it...

I’m a bit of a sucker for crap cars

One of those skeletons that's come out of Luke McCormack's garage.

There's something about Rat Look cars

Probably a guilty pleasure and one skeleton out of Luke McCormack's garage...

Rover's return from JLR?

The pros and cons of Jaguar Land Rover bringing back Rover...

Why Chris Evans can do well on Top Gear

Many won't give him a chance. Here's why you should...

Has Nissan got the most diverse line up?

About time they turn the lights on

Hooray! The Highways Agency has finally listened.

MG keeping up with the times?

Some MG fans and purists may bemoan them making a crossover. They're all the rage at the moment, and it could be a shrewd move in them making one.

Are traditional family cars a dying breed?

Is it the beginning of the end for the D-segment family car?

End of the tax disc

With the tax disc consigned to the history books after 93 years in service. Here's what you need to know, plus Luke McCormack gives his views on the disc being axed...

Why don't city cars have scissor doors?

It could revolutionise urban motoring...

Citroën C4 Cactus – The modern day 2CV?

May not look like a tin snail. But it carries the ethos of one of Citroën's past greats.

TRUTH to be told, I was never really sure on what to make of the Citroën C4 Cactus when I first saw pictures of it.

But I’ve got to take a bow to the French outfit in wanting to make a car that’s really something out of the ordinary. At the end of the day, that’s what Citroen is loved and best known for.

I don’t know if it’s me – and dare I say it – the new C4 Cactus could be a modern day 2CV. It was designed to be a cheap and utilitarian family hack. Typically, Citroën have made a car (or at least attempted to) that function doesn't necessarily have to be boring and mudane.

Them inflated rubber side panels - which Citroën calls them 'Airbumps'. That will be a talking point about the C4 Cactus, but can also be a selling point for the car itself. Parents with toddlers and young children would probably buy one because of the rubber panels. Another reason is that it'll be competitively priced too – that's because it'll be built down to a price - rather like the old Deux Cheu Veux.

I also think that this is a car that kids would like. The C4 Cactus does look like a car that was designed by a child as well. The vibrant colours that Citroën have available on the C4 Cactus. I'm sure some of them would be pestering their parents to get a bright yellow one with black rubber panels. Probably to make it look more like Bumblebee from The Transformers.

To end this, I do think the C4 Cactus could go down well. Not only in France, but also in the UK. Us Brits will like the Citroën C4 Cactus. Not just because it's a practical and competitively priced small family car. But it's one with quirky features and idiosyncrasies. Something that's different, it's one with character.

Should Peugeot-Citroën bring back Talbot?

Following the success of Dacia resurrected in being Renault’s budget brand. Could Peugeot-Citroën (PSA) be onto something with reviving the Talbot brand?

THERE has been rumours and speculation over Peugeot-Citroën resurrecting the Talbot name. With the PSA bringing it back as a budget car brand. In a similar vein that archrivals Renault have done with Dacia. To a lesser extent and not so much so nowadays, is Volkswagen with Skoda.

With the success of the Sandero and Duster, it goes without saying that there is a healthy market for cheap, back-to-bare, no frills motors. Especially in Eastern Europe, but its popularity has grown in Western Europe as well.

As the PSA are keen in pushing Peugeot and Citroën brands upmarket. With the market there is for cheap and basic motors from the popularity of Dacia's cars. Still, the PSA could be onto something with launching a budget brand that would help push Peugeot and Citroën upwards.

If the PSA do revive the Talbot name as a budget marque. Would there be a new the Samba and Horizon in the pipeline? If they do, I suspect it could be based on the old Citroën C2, and sold at rock bottom prices. They could be onto a winner there.

Barely Legal Drivers is awful

Cringeworthy show that paints a bad picture on young drivers. 

Petrolheads like Volvos

JEREMY CLARKSON infamously said: "You're not a true petrolhead, unless you've owned an Alfa Romeo". 

That's not a fact, that's just the Top Gear presenter's idea and definition of a petrol head. In Clarkson's theory, if you've owned an Alfa, you're apparently a true car nut.

Here is a point in case I put here. Volvos. The Swedish make are renowned for making cars that many say are: safe, solid, sensible, middle class saloons and estates. In other words, boring.

Many would say that Volvos are boring. They're stereotypically driven by the middle-aged and the retired. Where their cars are used for going to the recycling tips, or taken on long trips away. A complete polar opposite to the people who drive Alfa Romeos.

Despite on how much different Volvos and Alfa Romeos are. The similiarities lie with the people who own a Volvo or an Alfa. The principals from Volvo owners are in some way, similar to those who own Alfa Romeos. They both like cars, and would rather have something a bit different from the mainstream. Volvos are usually bought by people who use their heads. Alfas, well, they're bought with their hearts despite their well-known foibles. 

There are many petrol heads who yearn to own a Volvo like an Alfa Romeo - and they're attainable. You could write a list on each hand. Particularly performance cars from both manufacturers. Come on, we'd all love an 850R or a Spider.