Audi A6 27/04/2011
 
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The new Audi A6 saloon is lighter, greener and more tech-heavy than ever.

The mini-A8 styling is more evolutionary than revolutionary, but underneath the skin are some key changes.
Initially the A6 comes with a choice of four engines: a range-topping 3.0-litre petrol lump and three TDI units.

And because all new A6 engines are linked to efficiency-enhancing systems like start-stop and energy recovery the average consumption across the range has been dropped by 13 per cent. Importantly the A6 has also undergone a serious weight loss programme by adopting a composite steel-aluminium construction.
 
 
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This week I had to make the five hour trip from Cardiff in South Wales to Llandudno in North Wales.

A pretty horrible journey to make on a Friday night you might think? Not when you're in a BMW 530d Touring.

The 530d's 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel engine allowed the journey to be done at effortless pace, while the hugely impressive interior design ensured the journey was a comfortable as sitting in my front room at home with my slippers on.

 
Peugeot 3008 01/10/2010
 
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The Peugeot 3008 is full of surprises.

Firstly I didn't expect a lifestyle vehicle to drive and handle as well as this one does and secondly it has more space inside it than I ever imagined.

In fact it was the reason the Peugeot 3008 Sport HDi 150 handled so well that I discovered how much leg room there was behind the drivers seat - I got a little excited on the mountain roads of Snowdonia and my mobile phone slipped out of my pocket and ended up underneath my seat. Don't you just hate it when that happens?
 
Volvo S60 26/08/2010
 
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Is the latest S60, an all-new design, worthy of stealing customers from its perceived German rivals? It is a major step forward from the previous version.

For a start the new S60 is much better on the eye. It has a rakish, coupe-like body with a sharp nose.

And despite the sleeker visuals there is proper family car space inside, particularly in the back, and a really big boot.

Slip behind the wheel and your surroundings maintain the image. The dash is functional yet stylish, and I still very much like the ‘floating’ centre console, a flat plate which you can put your arm behind. 
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Alfa Romeo Mito 04/10/2009
 
Alfa Romeo Mito
The Mito couldn’t have arrived at a better time for Alfa Romeo, as buyers seem to be gravitating towards smaller cars in greater numbers.

Some of its greasy bits are shared with Fiat’s Grande Punto, but the Mito has more exotic looks with a front end inspired by Alfa’s exclusive 8C supercar.

The Mito has a range of feisty petrol and diesel engines, but there is a 'tame' engine kicking off the range. The Mito Junior comes with a 78bhp 1.4-litre engine that perhaps doesn't fit in so well with the car's racy looks.
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