Shahzad Sheikh Automotive, reviews

Jaguar E-Pace 300E Review

Little cub is reborn and chargeD up!

This may look familiar, in fact you may be questioning how it’s any different to when the Jaguar E-Pace was first introduced as the British luxury car maker’s baby SUV just four years ago. There’s a new grille and revised bumpers and inside the latest generation infotainment and a new gear lever. Underneath however, it is all-new. Well that is to say it adopts the Range Rover Evoque’s platform, that’s been designed to accommodated a hybrid drivetrain.

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Shahzad Sheikh Automotive, reviews

Peugeot E-208 Review

It’s fun and futuristic – so surely it makes sense as an electric car?

The Peugeot 208 is a great little car. Reasonably practical for its size, the best built that Peugeot’s have ever been, featuring a futuristic dashboard and instrument panel that would shame a Lamborghini, sensible economy and an engaging and fun drive that works hard to make you think it’s a hot hatch – there isn’t really one in the range yet.

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Shahzad Sheikh Automotive, reviews

Mazda CX-30 Review

Utterly contemporary tech, yet old-skool at its core

The Mazda CX-30, introduced last year, slots under the CX-5. So why not call it the CX-4? Because there is already a CX-4 sold in China, which is a different car. And this is based on a the Mazda3 hatchback, although its 7cm shorter and 10cm taller. The same platform is also the basis for the all-new all-electric MX-30.

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Shahzad Sheikh Automotive, reviews

Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio Review

A sports car pretending to be a saloon

I first drove the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio at the launch in Italy four years ago, around the Balocco test track in Vercelli. Frankly I loved it. Instantly accessible speed, reassuring but entertaining dynamics and as for those knuckle-biting sexy looks… well this is one hot saloon.

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Shahzad Sheikh Automotive, reviews

Kia Picanto Review

Ignore this little car review and you’ll miss out big time!

The current Kia Picanto has been around since 2017, but last year it received a facelift and tweaks to its drivetrain. What we have here on test is a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder car with just 66bhp, claimed to be capable of 100mph (though you’d need to be going downhill, with the wind behind your back, while slipstreaming another car to attain that). And at 14.1 seconds for the 0-60mph acceleration run, it’ll be beaten by one of those new London Taxis.

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Shahzad Sheikh Automotive, reviews

Jaguar F-Pace 400e PHEV Review

Oh alright then, where’s the plug socket?

I’m going to be making a very special exception in this review. Normally I don’t like plug-in hybrids. What’s the point? Electric cars must be plugged-in of course, but it’s frankly a nuisance. Hybrids should have the advantage of self-charging. So why put up with the hassle of plugging them in too? Dunno.

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Shahzad Sheikh Automotive, reviews

Toyota GR Supra 3.0-litre Review

Toyota/BMW collaboration means the return of an iconic Japanese sportscar

This is the all-new fifth generation Toyota Supra, reborn after a gap of 17 years, thanks to a little collaboration with BMW – most of its underpinnings and much of its interior is shared with the BMW Z4. But while the Z4 is a roadster, this is firmly a coupe with a fixed roof implying extra rigidity, and hence more sportiness. The cross-continent team-up was because Toyota wanted to adhere to the Supra tradition of a straight six cylinder engine, although there is now a 2.0-litre four cylinder unit (also a BMW motor) also available.

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Shahzad Sheikh Automotive, reviews

Ford Focus Mild Hybrid Review

1.0 three-cylinder hybrid could be the pick of the breed!

I know what you’re thinking: ‘Why are you reviewing a Focus that’s been around since 2018, and why would I be interested in a 1.0-litre three-cylinder version?’ Well lend me your attention for the duration of this short prose and I promise your interest will be piqued. (At least enough to go watch my video review!)

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Shahzad Sheikh Automotive, reviews

Suzuki Ignis Review

The little car that punches above its weight… and price!

This is the second generation Suzuki Ignis introduced in 2017. It’s most recent update saw a facelift with a revised bumper and brighter grille and most importantly, a mild hybrid power unit. The Ignis slots between the Alto and Swift in the Suzuki range, but borrows a little SUV DNA from siblings Jimny and Vitara. As such, it has 180mm of ground clearance despite its tiny size, and of course is available with automatic all-wheel drive.

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